Columbia, Mo. - It was a successful Saturday for the Cougars of Columbia College as they earned a top-20 win over the 18th-ranked Wildcats of Bethel University. 

The Cougars, now 2-1-1 on the season, halted the Wildcats' fast start to the season and handed them their first loss as they fell to 5-1-1. 

The Cougars controlled much of the pace in the first-half as they registered eight shots to just five from the Wildcats.

Early in the second-half, Carter Redford took a corner kick and found the foot of Wil Essner who was able to convert for the Cougars, putting them in the lead 1-0. 

From there, Columbia dug in deep defensively and managed to hold off Bethel's offense for the remainder of the match. 

In goal, Alejandro Molto Munoz made multiple key saves, but none more crucial then when the Wildcats almost converted on a corner kick in the 80th minute, but Molto Munoz was able to get his glove on it to preserve the shutout. 

Columbia will play at home again on Tuesday, September 10th, when they host the Bulldogs of NCAA Div. II Truman State University.