Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the Columbia College women's soccer team took on Kansas Wesleyan University in the 2016 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Opening Round. Both of these teams came into the game boasting strong offensive numbers as the Cougars ranked second in the NAIA averaging 4.330 goals per game and the Wildcats ranked 11^th averaging 3.430 goals per game. Despite a lot of offense from both sides during the season, it was a defensive battle in the game with the Cougars edging out a 2-0 win over the Coyotes to improve to 19-1-2 on the season.

In the first half, both sides struggled to get anything going offensively to start the game as most of the possession from each side was in the middle of the field. The Cougars first chance of the half came roughly 20 minutes into the game when they earned a free kick at the top of the Coyotes box. Laurie Frew took the kick for Columbia College and hit a low line driving shot that went just wide of the post.

The Cougars were able to settle in after that and pushed the tempo for the remainder of the half. They continued to attack at the Coyotes but were unable to find the back of the net taking a 0-0 tie into the halftime break. Columbia College outshot Kansas Wesleyan 9-2 in the half and had two shots on target.

Columbia College jumped all over the Coyotes at the start of the second half putting three shots on goal in the first few minutes. Kelsey Mirts had the best opportunity for the Cougars during that stretch when she broke through the Coyotes back line and put a shot on goal. However, Jane Potter, Kansas Wesleyans keeper, stood up to the test making a huge save on the Cougar freshman to keep the score tied at zero.

Molly Klein was finally able to put Columbia College ahead eleven minutes into the second half when she got her head on a ball in the air from Jordan Poire and directed it into the back of the net for her ninth goal of the season. She was able to do it again with 20 minutes remaining in the game when Kelsey Mirts found Klein at the top of the box. The freshman calmly settled the ball onto her right foot and blasted it into the corner of the net to take a 2-0 lead in the game. The lead stood for the remainder of the contest as the Cougars solidified their first national tournament win in their five year existence.

Flavia Rosado was in goal tonight for Columbia College recording one save in the match. The senior keeper has had a phenomenal season in goal for the Cougars picking up her 10^th solo shutout of the year and has not allowed a goal since Columbia's only loss of the season to Park (Mo.) University back in September.

The Cougars will advance to the second round of 2016 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship in Orange Beach, Alabama, and will face second seeded Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College. The game will take place on Tuesday, November 29^t at 11:00 a.m. at the Orange Beach SportsPlex.