CANTON, Mo. - The No. 24-ranked Columbia College women's soccer team opened its season in style Saturday, cruising past Culver-Stockton 5-1 at Poulton Stadium, with five different Cougars finding the back of the net.
The Cougars struck early and often in the first half. Rowyn Blanke opened the scoring in the 14th minute off an assist from Georgia Pardalos. Macie Vincent made it 2-0 in the 29th minute on an unassisted goal, and Ella Bredensteiner added a third just 22 seconds later, finishing off a Blanke assist to send Columbia into halftime up 3-0.
Culver-Stockton's Rian Moore opened the second half with a goal in the 55th minute, but Columbia answered with two more in the second half. Pardalos scored her own goal in the 76th minute, assisted by Katie McCarthy, before McCarthy capped the scoring in the 87th minute off a Grace Moresi assist.
Charlie Williams earned the win in goal, stopping two of three shots on target. Columbia outshot Culver-Stockton 21-10 and finished with a 5-4 edge in goals and assists combined.
The Cougars (1-0-0) return home Wednesday to face No. 18 Central Methodist at 5:30 p.m.
