Columbia, Mo. – The Cougar women's soccer team defeated Freed-Hardeman University by a score of 4-1 tonight in the first round of the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Postseason Tournament. Columbia, the league's regular season champion and No. 1 seed in the tournament, improves to 16-3 on the season.
After 25 minutes of scoreless action, senior
Kelli Westhues notched her 11
th goal of the season to put the Cougars up 1-0.
Laurie Frew picked up her conference leading 16
th assist on the goal.
In the 37
th minute, Frew headed in a perfectly crossed corner kick from
Tiffany Weaver to give Columbia the 2-0 advantage. The Cougars carried the 2-0 lead into the halftime break after outshooting the Lions 17-0.
Yuko Shinomiya wasted little time adding the third goal of the contest after connecting with
Katelyn Palmer less than one minute into the second period. Eight minutes later, Frew struck a second time to extend the Columbia lead to 4-0. The goal marks Frew's 22
nd of the season, just one shy of tying the most goals in a season record set by Stephanie Hale in 2013. Weaver was credited with the assist on the play, her second of the game.
The Lions would score on their first shot-on-goal with four minutes remaining in the game, but wouldn't be able to make a comeback as the Cougars ran away with the victory to advance to the semifinal round of the AMC tournament.
The Cougars outshot FHU 29-1 for the game.
Flavia Rosado (16-3) earned the win in goal for Columbia.
Prior to game time, members of the 2015 AMC All-Academic team were announced. The Cougars placed ten players on the squad, which included Westuhues, Frew, Weaver,
Taylor Hagenhoff,
Carlie Howe,
Meghan Nappier,
Mallory Page,
Katelyn Palmer, and
Jordan Poire.
Columbia will advance to the AMC Tournament Semifinals on Monday, November 9
th to take on the winner of the quarterfinal game between William Woods University and Lindenwood-Belleville University. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. at R. Marvin Owens Field. Visit
www.amcsportsonline.com for the complete tournament bracket and schedule.