COLUMBUS, Ga. – The UNC Pembroke soccer team led host and No. 2 Columbus State 1-0 with under 24 minutes to play Saturday afternoon at the Walden Soccer Complex, but the Cougars scored in both the 67th and 82nd minutes to avoid their second-consecutive Peach Belt Conference (PBC) setback.
MATCH INFORMATION
Score: UNC Pembroke 1, No. 2 Columbus State 2
Records: UNC Pembroke (3-3-0, 1-1-0 PBC); No. 2 Columbus State (4-1-0, 2-1-0 PBC)
Location: Walden Soccer Complex
Series: Columbus State leads 17-3-1
HOW IT HAPPENED
Box Score/Play-by-Play
FIRST HALF
-The Braves' lone shot of the opening half came in the 10th minute when
Kristina Stevenson's attempt went wide left of the net.
-UNCP keeper
Gina Ryan was a perfect 5-for-5 in saves in the first 45 minutes and saw 10 Cougar shots in total in the opening half.
SECOND HALF
-The Columbus State barrage continued into the second half, as the hosts registered seven shots and four corner kicks in the first 15 minutes coming out of halftime.
-However, it was the Braves who struck first in the 60th minute when
Carly Rochelle passed to
Alexis Pittman and the freshman scooted the ball under the keeper for her third goal in the last three outings.
-The Black & Gold lead lasted under six minutes before the Cougars knotted the score at 1-1 on Kimmy May's goal in the 67th minute. After her first attempt was saved by Ryan, May cleaned up the rebound to level the match.
-With under nine minutes to play in regulation, Columbus State's Olivia Jarrell netted the game winner from a pass that was deflected into the box.
UNCP's final chance came in the 85th minute, but its first corner kick of the day came up empty.
NOTABLES
-Pittman (3 goals, 1 assist) now has a team-high seven points this season and is the only Braves to score multiple goals.
-Rochelle's assist was her first of the season and third in her time as a Brave.
-Ryan's 11 saves are the second-most in her career, as were the 26 shots faced on Saturday.
-Pittman's goal was the only UNCP shot on goal in the match.
-In the 21 all-time meeting between the Braves and Cougars, 11 of the contests have been decided by one goal or ended in a tie.
WHAT WAS SAID (HEAD COACH LARS ANDERSSON)
-"While I am disappointed in the loss today, I am extremely proud of the team and how they followed the game plan to perfection."
-"We knew we had to be smart against the No. 2 team in the country. We set up defensively and counted on being able to defend and then strike on the counter attack."
UP NEXT
The Braves return home for the first time since September 3 when they play host to Georgia College in PBC action. First touch is set for 6 p.m. at Lumbee River EMC Stadium. The Bobcats (3-3-0, 2-1-0 PBC) are winner of two-straight conference matches, including a 2-1 win over Clayton State on Saturday. UNCP leads the all-time series 7-6-2 over Georgia College.
