Full VideoMORROW, Ga. – Playing a Top 25 team for the second consecutive game, Clayton State (8-6, 4-4 PBC) could not pull off back-to-back upsets as No. 17 Columbus State (11-2-1, 6-0-1 PBC) earned a 4-0 victory in an NCAA Division II women's soccer game on Saturday, October 17.
Over the first 19 minutes, the Lakers would continue the strong play that earned them an overtime victory over No. 3 North Georgia in their last outing as they held the Cougars without a score. However, it would be Columbus that would break through and get on the board first as Cassandra Wade recovered a loose ball in front of the net and drove it to the back for a 1-0 lead at 19:32.
Nicole Corcione, the National Player of the Week, would add to that less than two minutes later as she picked up a loose ball at midfield and raced down the left side. She would score on that breakaway at 21:11 to make it 2-0.
That would remain the margin through the rest of the half but not that long into the final 45 minutes. Just 1:41 into the frame, Taylor Marks pushed it to a 3-0 advantage as she converted an unassisted score from the right side.
The Cougars would add to that in the 74th minute as Claire Belay chipped one in from the right side of the goal for a 4-0 lead. From there, they would limit the Lakers to just two shots the rest of the way in a 4-0 victory.
Columbus State was led by four different goals scorers as Belay, Corcione, Wade and Marks each notched solo scores. Maylyn Parsons was perfect in goal, making six saves in 90 minutes to earn the shutout and move to 10-2-1 on the year.
For Clayton State, senior midfielder
Maria Marti Bartis (Girona, Spain) led the way with a pair of shots, both on goal, while senior goalkeeper
Charlotte McCormack (Wexford, Ireland) went the distance in net. She made six saves and allowed four goals to fall to 8-6 on the season.
The Lakers wrap up the home portion of the regular season on Wednesday, October 21 when they host Georgia Southwestern. Game time is set for 5 p.m. at Laker Field and will serve as Senior Day.
NOTESThe game was the first official contest in the Battle for the Real CSU, a rivalry between Columbus State (CSU) and Clayton State (CSU) … official season and sport scoring for the rivalry will be released in the near future.
