Box Score
Upland, Ind. – This afternoon the fifth ranked Columbia College women's soccer team was back in action when they traveled to Upland, Indiana, to take on the 17th ranked Taylor (Ind.) University Trojans in a nonconference matchup. The Cougars, who are ranked in the top five for the first time in program history, were able to defeat their second ranked opponent of the season with a 1-0 win over the Trojans. With the win, Columbia College improves to 5-0 on the season.
The Trojans came out in the first half of the game and controlled the pace early on a rainy afternoon in Upland. They were able to put pressure on the Cougars back line and tallied two shots in the first 12 minutes of the game. Columbia College did their best to gain control of the possession as the half progressed but the Trojans continued to pressure the Cougars as they earned six corner kicks throughout the period. Despite outshooting Columbia College 5-3 in the half, the Trojans did not find the back of the net as Madison Boyken made three saves to keep the score tied at zero at the halftime break.
The Cougars came out in the second half and were immediately able to take a 1-0 lead just 15 seconds into the period. Samantha Bassler had the goal for Columbia as she made a run up the middle of the field and blasted a shot just under the crossbar and into the back of the net for her first tally of the season. The Trojans tried to answer quickly and were able to work the ball deep into the Cougars half before finding a Taylor midfielder at the top of the box who ripped a shot off the crossbar and out of play to keep Columbia up by one.
The Trojans did their best to tie the game down the final stretch of the contest but the Cougars played sound defense throughout the half and were able to keep Taylor out of the back of the net despite being outshot 10-8 in the game.
Madison Boyken and Erin Jones split time in goal for Columbia College tonight as the two combined for six saves in their fourth shutout of the season.
The Cougars are back in action on Tuesday, September 12th when they take on Lindenwood University-Belleville (Ill.) in their first conference match of the season. The game is set to start at 4:30 p.m. on R. Marvin Owen's Field.
