Columbia, Mo. – The 25th ranked Columbia College men's soccer team was back in action when they played host to the Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) University Trojans in the AMC Men's Soccer Championship Quarterfinals. The Cougars were able to defeat the Trojans by a final score of 2-0 to improve to 13-4-1 in the season and 12-0 in conference play.
Prior to the start of the match, the American Midwest Conference announced the AMC Academic All-Conference awards. To be eligible for Academic All-Conference honors, student-athletes must be in their second semester at their AMC institution and have at least a 3.0 GPA. For their efforts in the classroom, Aaron Noel, Brendan Mann, Cameron Durst, Joey Koetting, Parker Moon, and Ximo Gil were all recognized. In addition, Nick Filla was named to the AMC Champions of Character Team.
The Cougars came out in the first half and had a tough time keeping possession in the first few minutes of the game. They were able to settle in as the half progressed and forced the Trojans keeper to make several tough saves but were unable to find the back of the net. Columbia College's best chance of the half came late in the period when the Cougars earned a free kick just outside the box. Adam Du Toit took the kick for Columbia and hit his shot off the cross bar, but ultimately the game remained scoreless heading into the halftime break. The Cougars outshot the Trojans 9-2 in the half and had three shots on target.
In the second half of the match, Columbia College came out of the locker room and were able to create two corner kick opportunities in the first five minutes of the period. They continued to push the tempo and were finally able to find the back of the net with just over 17 minutes left to play in the game. Caden Castello had the goal for the Cougars as he was able to knock in a rebound from a Mako Makoanyane shot for his second goal of the season to make the score 1-0. Columbia College was able to add another goal with just under seven minutes left to play in the game when Lesia Thetsane played a long cross into the box. Ximo Gil headed the ball to Joey Koetting who was able to head the ball past the Trojans keeper and into the back of the net for her eighth goal of the season to extend the lead to 2-0. The Trojans did their best to get back into the game but the Cougars were able to hold them off down the stretch to advance to the AMC Men's Soccer Championship Semifinals.
Collin Baker (2-2) was in goal tonight for Columbia, making one save in his second solo shutout of the season.
The Cougars are back in action on Tuesday, November 6th when they play host to the Lyon (Ark.) College Scots in the AMC Men's Soccer Championship Semifinals. The game is set to start at 6 p.m. on R. Marvin Owen's Field.
