CSU Loses First Match Of The Year

Columbus, GA - A night that started with a positive event for the Columbus State women’s soccer program ended in disappointment as North Georgia came into the Walden Soccer Complex and handed CSU a 1-0 defeat, breaking a 13-game winning streak. CSU now stands at 13-1-1 overall and 6-1 in the Peach Belt Conference, while the Saints move to 9-3-2 overall and 5-2-1 in league play.

Prior to kickoff, the CSU complex was officially dedicated and named for the John and Rankin Walden family. The Waldens, longtime benefactors of CSU athletics, were on hand to see the unveiling of a bronze plaque at the stadium entrance in the pregame ceremony. The complex has been known as the Walden Soccer Complex since September of 2008 and now has a plaque bearing the likenesses of the two brothers whose gifts made completion of the facility possible.

The CSU loss is the first of the season for CSU and its first regular-season loss since October 1, 2008, when CSU fell 5-0 on the road to West Florida. It takes a look much further back to find the last PBC regular-season loss for the Cougars. That came on September 17, 2005 in a 2-1 road loss at UNC Pembroke. The last time CSU fell to a PBC team on its home turf was in the 2005 PBC Tournament title game when Clayton State won 2-1 in overtime.

North Georgia got its goal less than five minutes into play. After the Cougars missed a couple of scoring opportunities off the opening kick, the Saints got the ball into CSU territory and onto the foot of Kelsey Martin. Martin weaved her way past two defenders and, despite not hitting her shot solidly, slipped a roller past Kelly Nimmo for the score. That goal came at the 4:23 mark and was one of only two shots for North Georgia in the first half.

CSU had its chances in the first half. A Gina Goforth header at the 12:34 mark hit the crossbar and the rebound came to the feet of Stephanie Parrish who could not hit her shot solidly and left it just outside the left post. Just prior to that play, Kayla Brown’s free kick after a Saints foul was just inches high. Parrish had another opportunity in the 42nd minute that also sailed high.

The Cougars got another opportunity in the first minute of play in the second half. Brown got an open look and for the second time in the game, the shot hit the crossbar to keep CSU off the board. The Saints had opportunities as well, but Nimmo came up with four second-half saves to keep her squad within a goal of tying the contest.

The best opportunity for the tie came in the 62nd minute as Parrish found the ball at her feet after a flurry of action in front of the Saints’ net. Parrish had what appeared to be an open shot to the left corner, but mishit the shot and had it hook just wide. CSU had two more shots in the remainder of the half, but keeper Kirsten Ross saved both of those to preserve the shutout.

For the game, CSU held a 12-8 advantage in shots and a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks. Nimmo finished with five saves, while Ross countered with four of her own. Each team committed five fouls and there were no cautions issued.

CSU returns to the road on Saturday playing another PBC contest at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. Gametime is set for 4 PM. North Georgia returns to action on Saturday, as well, hosting PBC newcomer Flagler College at 1 PM.