Columbia, Mo. – The 16th ranked Columbia College men's soccer team was back in action tonight when they played host to the Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) University Trojans in an AMC matchup. The Cougars were able to beat the Trojans by a final score of 2-0 to improve to 5-3-1 on the season and 4-0 in conference play.
In the first half of the game, both sides came out and tried to establish a tempo early in the contest. The Cougars settled in as the half progressed but had a tough time getting anything going as the Trojans played tough defense for most of the period. Columbia was finally able to score the first goal of the game with just under six minutes to play in the half when they earned a free kick just outside the Trojans box. Pere Adrian Severa took the kick for Columbia and was able to hit a line drive into the left side of the goal for his second tally of the season. The Cougars did their best to add to their lead but ultimately the score remained 1-0 heading into the halftime break. Columbia had four shots in the period putting two on target.
The Cougars came out in the second half and turned up the pressure to start the period. They were able to create several scoring chances in the first 15 minutes of the half including a shot off the post but were unable to take advantage. The Trojans responded with a chance of their own but the Cougars were able to extend their lead to 2-0 with 27 minutes left to play. Pere Adrian Severa had the goal for Columbia as he hit a rocket of shot from 25 yards out past the keeper and just under the crossbar for his second goal of the game. The Trojans did their best to get back into the game but were unable to find the back of the net as the Cougars closed them out down the stretch to remain unbeaten in conference play.
Ryan Harrisskitt (4-1-1) was in goal tonight for the Cougars as he made one save in his fourth shutout of the season.
The men's soccer team is back in action on Tuesday, October 2nd when they play host to the Waldorf (Iowa) University Warriors in a nonconference matchup. The game is set to start at 4 p.m. on R. Marvin Owen's Field.
