Orange Beach, Ala. – The Columbia College women's soccer team was back in action today when they traveled to Orange Beach, Alabama to compete in the 2017 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championships. The Cougars, who defeated the Siena Heights University Saints 1-0 in the opening round, were unable to advance to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championships as they fell to Westmont (Calif.) College in the second round by a final score of 1-0. Columbia College finished their season with a record of 21-2.
Columbia took control to start the game. As the half progressed the Warriors began to warm up and had a few close shots on goal, but the Cougars were able to keep them from scoring early. Off of a corner kick, the Warriors were able to poke a goal in out of a cluster of players in the box. With 14 minutes left in the first half the Cougars trailed 1-0. Columbia played tough defense throughout the half, but were unable to find the back of the net on the offensive end. Columbia had two shots on goal in the half as they headed into halftime trailing 1-0.
The second half started out much like the first as Columbia controlled the tempo. But once again, the Warriors got their feet back under them and challenged the Cougars as the final half progressed. Columbia was doing their best to get back in the game, but they struggled to find the back of the net. The Cougars fell to the Warriors by a final score of 1-0 to end their terrific season.
Madison Boyken was in goal today for Columbia as she recorded six saves to wrap up her junior season.
Westmont (Calif.) College will advance to the quarterfinals tomorrow, November 29th, when they face Spring Arbor (Mich.) University. Spring Arbor comes into this game with a 21-1-1 record on the season and earned a spot in the quarterfinals after defeating Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) by a final score of 4-2 earlier today. The game is set to start at 4 p.m. CST in Orange Beach, Alabama.
