COLUMBUS, Ga. – Third-ranked and Peach Belt Conference-leading Columbus State netted a pair of goals in each half and limited the visiting UNC Pembroke soccer team to just four shots on the way to a 4-1 victory over the Braves on Thursday afternoon at the Walden Soccer Complex.
It was just the second loss in the last four series matchups for the Braves (3-3-0, 0-2-0 PBC) who upended the Cougars in the championship game of the 2017 PBC Tournament in November. The victory kept an unbeaten season intact for the Cougars (8-0-1, 5-0-0) who have won all five of their home outings in 2018.
| SCORING SUMMARY |
| 5' |
Riley Clark did most of the work in giving the Cougars the early lead, but her shot was saved by a diving Gina Ryan. Unfortunately for the Braves, Brooke Nail was there to knock in the rebound. CSU 1, UNCP 0 |
| 23' |
Maya Grimes found space in the penalty area and directed a skip pass to Alexis Pittman who redirected the ball past CSU netminder Bria Riancho. CSU 1, UNCP 1 |
| 28' |
Columbus State took the lead for good in the 28th minute when Rachael Sweigard tapped in Olivia Jarrell's cross from the left side. CSU 2, UNCP 1 |
| 53' |
Jarrell got into the scoring column again when she settled a long cross from Flo Spano and found the back of the net. CSU 3, UNCP 1 |
| 75' |
Rachel Sweigard tacked up her second goal late in the game when she received a cross from Maddie DeFranco and rifled a shot past Gina Ryan to cap the scoring on the day. CSU 4, UNCP 1 |
| TOP BRAVES |
- Alexis Pittman registered a team-leading (share) third goal of the season on the only first-half shot for the Braves. Newcomer Maya Grimes, who logged both a goal and an assist in Tuesday's win over Converse, tallied the assist.
- Gina Ryan logged seven saves between the pipes for the Braves.
- Four different players recorded shots for the Black & Gold, with Alexis Pittman and Maya Grimes posting the only shots on goal for the visitors.
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| NOTABLES |
- The Braves fell to 0-3-0 away from Pembroke this season with Thursday's setback, and have now been out-shot 47-14 in road outings this season.
- UNCP and Columbus State have split the last four series matchups, with both wins for the Cougars coming at the Walden Soccer Complex. UNCP has not won on the road in the series since Sept. 9, 2011.
- Columbus State's four goals on Thursday were the most by either team in the series since the Cougars registered a 5-0 win over UNCP on Sept. 9, 2006.
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| UP NEXT |
| The Braves will be back in action again on Saturday when they return home to tangle with league rival Clayton State (4-3-2, 1-3-0 PBC) at Lumbee River EMC Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. and admission to all 2018 UNCP Soccer home games is free. |
