Olathe, Kan. – The Columbia College men's soccer team was back in action this evening when they traveled to Olathe, Kansas, to take on the eighth ranked MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) University Pioneers in a nonconference match. The Cougars, who won their first game of the season by a final score of 1-0 over Central Methodist (Mo.) University, were unable to defeat the Pioneers as they dropped to 1-1 on the season after a 1-0 loss.

In the first half of the game, neither side was able to get anything going early as both teams looked organized defensively. The Pioneers had the best chance of the half with about 27 minutes remaining in the period when the MidAmerican Nazarene forward received the ball at the top of the box before ripping a low line driving shot at the Cougars goal. However, Columbia College keeper Nicolau Neto was able to get his fingertips on the shot as it bounced off the post and out of play to keep the score locked at zero heading into the halftime break. The Cougars outshot the Pioneers 4-3 in the half and had two shots on goal.

The second half of the game started similar to the first as both sides tried to establish a pace early in the period. The Pioneers had several scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes of the half but were unable to capitalize until the 68^th minute of the game when a MidAmerica Nazarene midfielder blasted a shot past Neto and off the post. The ball bounced back into the center of the box and onto the foot of a Pioneer forward who slotted it past the Cougars keeper to give MidAmerica Nazarene a 1-0 lead. Columbia College did their best to get back into the game but were unable to find the back of the net as the Pioneers handed the Cougars their first loss of the season.

Nicolau Neto was in goal tonight for Columbia College as the senior goalkeeper made three saves in the game.

The Cougars are back in action on Saturday, September 2^nd when they host Missouri Valley College in a nonconference matchup. The game is set to start at 8 p.m. on R. Marvin Owens Field.