Box Score Columbia, Mo. - The Columbia Cougar men's soccer team posted a victory in its home opener tonight at R. Marvin Owens Field, defeating Southwest Baptist University 3-0. The Cougars improve to 2-1 on the season while the Bearcats fall to 0-1.

In his first home game as a Cougar, Mitchell Conning got the scoring started in the 22^nd minute of play to give Columbia the 1-0 advantage over the Bearcats. Mark Steiniger picked up the assist on the play, his second of the year. Columbia continued to control the ball over the next twenty minutes, and finally found the back of the net as freshman Joey Koetting scored his first goal of the season with 40 seconds remaining in the half. Dan Reilly was credited the assist on the goal. The Cougars carried the 2-0 lead into the halftime break after outshooting the Bearcats 13-3 with six shots on goal while holding the Bearcats to zero in the first half.

The second half played out much like the first, with the Cougars dominating the ball. Senior forward, Vadim Cojocov, scored his team leading third goal of the season in the 62^nd minute, with Koetting assisting on the play, to put the Cougars up 3-0. Despite many scoring opportunities, Columbia was unable to add to their lead over the remainder of the game.

The Cougars completely dominated play, out shooting the Bearcats 20-9. Junior Iain McTurk recorded the shutout in goal for Columbia posting two saves.

Columbia will return to the field this Sunday, September 6^th when they host William Penn University. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. at R. Marvin Owens Field.