PEMBROKE – The UNCP women's soccer team was not able to find the back of the net as the Lady Braves fell 1-0 in a physical Peach Belt Conference contest to Nationally Ranked No. 25 Columbus State on Saturday at Varsity Grounds. 

CSU (15-2-1, 8-2-1 PBC) picked up its 10th shutout of the 2012 campaign as both CSU and UNCP (9-6-3, 5-5-1) wrapped up the regular season. The Cougars held the advantage on shots, outshooting the Lady Braves 17-9; including 5-4 shots on goals. There were 25 total fouls and three yellow cards in the match, with UNCP registering 15 fouls to CSU's 10 fouls. 

"The wind was a major factor in the first half. The wind was in our faces and Columbus State had the benefit of having the wind at their back. Therefore they were able to create more in the first 45 minutes and unfortunately we gave up a goal early in the game," said head UNCP coach Lars Andersson. "We had a couple of very good chances, our two forwards really worked hard today and gave us some opportunities. Unfortunately we were just not able to find that equalizer." 

The Cougars scored early as Jaci Carithers deleiverd her first goal of the season in the sixth minute of play off of a corner kick from Stephanie Lowery. CSU outshot the Lady Braves 10-3 in the first half and took all three first half corner kicks. 

The Lady Braves were able to keep the offense even in the second half of action, taking six shots compared to the Cougar's seven. Sophomore Amalia Arvidsson took a team-high three shots in the second half, with one shot on goal. Arvidsson led the Black and Gold with four shots and two shots on goal in the match.

UNCP keeper Britney Bennett played a complete 90:00 between the posts, collecting four saves. In the net for the Cougars was Mary Mancin who played a full 90:00 minutes with no goals allowed and four saves. 

"My take away from this game, and really from the regular season as we head into the conference tournament, is we have gotten into the bad habit of winning games while still giving up two or three silly goals. Fortunately for us we've scored a lot of goals and have been able to win a lot games despite giving up unnecessary goals," said Andersson. "That's something though, when we get into the conference tournament we have got to tighten up defensively. Now we just have to wait and see based on the results tonight who we play and where we play in the first round of the PBC Tournament."

The Lady Braves will have to wait until the rest of Saturday's games are played to determine where they will be playing in the first round of the PBC Tournament. UNCP is currently sixth in PBC standings with 16 conference points.