Box Score Henderson, Tenn. - The Cougar men's soccer team picked up 2-0 road victory at American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University on Tuesday night. Columbia improves to 7-2-2 overall and 4-0-1 in league play with the win.

The Cougars were denied an early lead in the opening period when Akihl Noel hit the post with a shot less than four minutes into the match. In the 26^th minute, Columbia goalkeeper Matt McKenna came up with a crucial save on a penalty kick by Freed-Hardeman to keep the score knotted at 0-0. That score would hold up over the remainder of the first half despite a combined 14 shots between the two squads. Antonio Ayres broke the scoreless tie with a goal in the 55^th minute. The Cougars continued to apply pressure on the offensive end during the final period, with Rafael Ramos providing an insurance goal 81^st minute for a 2-0 Columbia advantage. The Cougars would hold on over the final minutes to complete the shutout and pick up their third straight victory in conference play.

Columbia finished the match with a 28-10 shot advantage, which included 15 shots on goal. McKenna logged two saves to earn the shutout win in goal, his second of the season.

On Monday, Ramos and McKenna were announced as this week's AMC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week. Both players were key contributors to the Cougars' two conference victories last week over Missouri Baptist University and Williams Baptist College. Ramos scored a career-high four goals in Columbia's 4-1 victory over the Spartans on Tuesday, September 24^th and added another goal in Friday's 3-1 win over the Eagles. The senior forward is second on the team and fourth in the conference with seven goals this season. McKenna notched seven saves during the week to bring his total to 28 on the year. The senior native of St. Louis, Mo. leads the league with a 0.86 Goals Against Average.

The Cougars will return home to host AMC newcomer Mid-Continent (Ky.) University on Saturday, October 5^th. The game is set for a 3:30 p.m. start at R. Marvin Owens Soccer Stadium.