CSU Nets Another Win

Greenwood, SC - Third-ranked Columbus State knew it had a tough task on Monday, taking on a Lander squad that was 9-2-1 entering the day. That proved to be true as the two teams battled to a scoreless tie in the first half. The Lady Cougars were able to find the net twice in the second half and held off the Bearcats late for a 2-1 win. CSU wins its 13th consecutive game and now stands at 6-0 in Peach Belt Conference play. Lander moves to 9-3-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the PBC.

Lander goalkeeper Chelsea Beetch faced five shots from CSU in the first half and came away with three saves to keep the Lady Cougars off the board. CSU’s Kelly Nimmo faced four shots and came up with a pair of saves of her own to keep the Bearcats scoreless in the first 45 minutes. Beetch ended the contest with three saves and two goals allowed, while Nimmo recored five total saves and allowed just the one goal.

Gina Goforth broke the ice for Columbus in the 53rd minute. She took a feed from Rachel Walthell in front of the net and beat Beetch for the first score. The goal was Goforth’s 10th of the season.

Jill Walthall got what would become the game-winner just under 11 minutes later. She took a crossing pass from Melinda Bush on a very similar play to the first CSU score and hammered it home for the 2-0 lead. The score came at the 63:03 mark and was Walthall’s fifth score of the year.

CSU appeared on its way to yet another shutout, but Lander had other ideas, slicing the lead in half in the 83rd minute. Jamie Shaw took a cross from the left side off the foot of Christine Barbour and beat Nimmo to make it 2-1. The goal was just the second allowed this season by Nimmo and just the third allowed by the CSU team in its 14 games.

The Lady Cougars held a 10-8 advantage in shots in the game, getting off five in each half. CSU also led in corner kicks by a 5-4 margin, while Lander committed eight fouls to three for Columbus State. CSU’s Kayla Brown received the game’s only caution, a yellow card at the 88:04 mark.

CSU will be back in action at home on Wednesday as they host North Georgia in another PBC match. The night will be a special one as the Walden Soccer Complex will be officially dedicated in honor of John and Rankin Walden and their family. The dedication ceremony will begin at 5:45 with kickoff to follow.