Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the 20
th ranked Columbia College men's soccer team kicked off their season when they played host to the Judson (Ill.) University Eagles in a nonconference matchup. The Cougars were able to defeat the Eagles by a final score of 3-0. They are now 1-0 on the season.
In the first half of the game, the Cougars came out strong and held control evenly with the Eagles. With no score in the first 33 minutes, both teams held solid defense and offense. Columbia was the first to strike with a battle from
Nick Brandt, pushing for the net to get open for
Mako Makoanyane. Makoanyane pushed free to pass the ball to Brandt where he beat the Judson goalkeeper and found the back of the net to give the Cougars the 1-0 lead. The Cougars picked up the intensity holding the Eagles with a tight defense and keeping solid control of the game. The Eagles tried to make one last effort in the last 30 seconds of the first half, but the Cougars held a strong defense and kept their 1-0 lead. Columbia College outshot Judson 6-3 in the half.
The Cougars continued their intensity in the second half, keeping control the first eight minutes. The Cougars pressed towards the Eagles goal where
Juan Pablo Agredo found the back of the net, to extend their lead to 2-0. The Cougars continue to apply pressure to the Eagles keeping the ball in Eagle territory. With 24 minutes left in play the Cougars closed in on the Eagles,
Caden Castello passed the ball to
Nick Brandt who was charging to the net, beating two defenders to sink the ball into the net and extend the lead to 3-0. With the final minute of play the Cougars held control, handing the Eagles their first loss of the season.
Ryan Harrisskitt and
Carson Linder split the home opener. Harrisskitt started the game in goal tonight and Linder stepped in with 11:44 left in the game.
After tonight's result, Head Coach
John Klein notched his 250
th win with the men's soccer program.
The men's soccer team is back in action on Wednesday, August 28
th when they travel to Bellevue, Nebraska, to take on the 14
th ranked Bellevue University Bruins in a nonconference matchup. Game is set to start at 7:30 p.m.