Henderson, Tenn. – The Columbia College men's soccer team was back in action tonight when they traveled to Henderson, Tennessee, to take on Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University in an AMC matchup. The Cougars, who defeated Lindenwood University-Belleville 1-0 in their first conference match of the season, were able to improve to 5-2 on the year and 2-0 in conference play after defeating the Lions by a final score of 5-2.

In the first half of the game, the Cougars came out and controlled the pace early tallying three shots in the first 15 minutes of the game. They continued to play well as the half progressed and took a 1-0 lead just 19 minutes into the match when Joey Koetting finished off his fourth goal in as many games. The Cougars did their best to add to their lead before the halftime break but were unable to find the back of the net and game remained 1-0 at the half.

It took Columbia just nine minutes into the second half to add to their lead as Ximo Gill knocked in his first goal of the season to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead. Columbia added three more goals in the half including tallies from Aaron Noel, Nick Horne, and Michael Mayberry to give the Cougars a 5-0 lead midway through the period. The Lions did their best to get back into the game and were able to score two times in the final 16 minutes of the match but that was as close as they would get as the Cougars finished out the game to solidify their fourth straight win.

Nicolau Neto and Collin Baker split time in goal tonight as the two combined for one save in the match.

The Cougars are back in action on Wednesday, September 20^th when they travel to St. Louis, Missouri, to take on Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University in an AMC matchup. The game is set to start at 4 p.m.