No. 3 Columbus State Blanks No. 20 Pirates, 4-0

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The No. 3-ranked Columbus State Cougars took advantage of its scoring opportunities in a 4-0 victory over visiting No. 20-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State on Saturday afternoon at the Walden Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ga.

The Cougars (11-0-1, 4-0 PBC) are now the only unbeaten and untied squad in the league, while Armstrong Atlantic State (10-2-2, 6-1 PBC) suffers its first loss of the league season and sees its unbeaten streak halted at 10.

Columbus State struck first in the 18th minute as Rachel Walthall took a long pass from Jordan McKenzie and beat AASU keeper Tracey Mitchell for the only score of the first half. AASU and the Cougars collected five shots apiece before intermission.

In the second half, CSU took a two-goal lead as Tracey Mitchell's initial save on a shot by Gina Goforth resulted in a rebound, put away by Stephanie Parrish in the 53rd minute. The Cougars put the match away in the 67th minute as Goforth converted a penalty kick.

The Cougars tacked on another goal as a failure to clear a ball in the box in the 80th minute resulted in a header goal for Parrish, giving her a second goal in the match.

Columbus State outshot the Pirates by just an 13-8 margin, but enjoyed an 8-3 edge in corner kicks.

With the win, AASU falls to 0-6-1 all-time against the Cougars. Saturday's match was the first time an AASU/CSU battle was decided by more than one goal since the 2005 season, the inaugural year of Pirate soccer.

AASU returns to action on Wednesday, October 14, with a 3:30 p.m. Peach Belt Conference match against Flagler in a "Kick for the Cure" event - the match will feature specially produced pink soccer balls from Select Sport America in order to help raise awareness for breast cancer.