Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the ninth ranked Columbia College women's soccer team was back on the field when they played host to Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) University in the 2017 Columbia College Women's Soccer Invitational. The Cougars were able to get off to a great start to the season as they defeated the Tigers by a final score of 4-0 to improve to 1-0 on the season.
It did not take long for the Cougars to get going in the first half as they were able to take an early 1-0 lead just nine minutes into the game. Laurie Frew got the offense going for Columbia as she brought the ball up the center of the field before finding Lucy Kingsley on the wing who played a ball across the box to Kelsey Mirts who was able to finish off her first goal of the season.
Columbia College continued to apply pressure to the Tigers back line as the half progressed and created several scoring opportunities. They were able to add to their lead with five minutes remaining in the half following a second goal from Mirts. Molly Burke led the charge for the Cougars as the junior made a long run down the sideline and beat several defenders before finding Mirts at the top of the box who turned and hit a left footed shot past the Tigers keeper to give Columbia a 2-0 lead.
The Cougars picked up right where they left off in the second half as it took them just one minute to add to their lead. Joanna Taylor had the goal for the Cougars as she made a long run towards the goal and slipped it past the Tigers keeper for her first goal of the season. Columbia College continued to apply pressure and were able to pick up one final goal with 29 minutes remaining in the game after Lucy Kingsley was taken down in the box. Laurie Frew took the penalty for the Cougars and calmly beat the Tiger's keeper to solidify the 4-0 victory.
Madison Boyken and Erin Jones combined for the shutout in goal for Columbia College as the two made a total of six saves in the shutout victory.
The Cougars are back in action tomorrow, August 26th when they take on Midland (Neb.) University in their final game of the 2017 Columbia College Women's Soccer Invitational. The game is set to start at 7 p.m. on R. Marvin Owens Field.
