Sunday night, September 7, the Columbus State Lady Cougars brought a huge victory to Cougar Nation. Taking place at 6pm sharp at the Walden Soccer Complex, the Lady Cougars were ready to rise and conquer in their battle against the Florida Tech Panthers women’s soccer team. The Lady Cougars are known state-wide for their 17 NCAA Tournament Appearances, 8 NCAA Regional Titles, and 22 Peach Belt Conference Titles. So, it’s no surprise that they brought a final score of 3-0 to the records against the Panthers.
At the beginning of the game, even before the kick-off, the Lady Cougars illuminated the soccer field with their ecstatic energy and determination. Losing was not an option. Just sixteen seconds into the game, midfielder Abigail Akerson scored a goal. It was at this moment that the Lady Cougars knew they had an advantage and a shot at winning this game. The passion was undeniable, and the liveliness was heavy. Thanks to goalkeeper Heidi Harris, the Panthers stood no chance in scoring during the first half.
Leading into the second-half surge, senior defender/midfielder Avery Williams wasted no time breaking through at one minute and twenty-nine seconds burying a shot off an assist from midfielder teammate Sarah Hungerford giving CSU a 2-0 lead. By this time, the crowd was rallying along the bleachers and there was no stopping the Lady Cougars.
Within the few last moments of the second-half, Columbus State furthered their lead to 3-0 when forward Michelle Medina found the back of the net, assisting midfielder Juanita Escobar. Very evidently, the opposing audience were sitting on the edge of their seats, hoping for at least one goal to finish off the game, however, the Lady Cougars had a different plan in mind. Their defensive tactic and goalkeeping strategy emerged evermore while CSU attack grabbed the headlines, Harris anchored a wild back line just eight saves enroute to her very first clean sheet of the 2025-26 season. Columbus State’s powerful defensive duo Anna Labarbera and Kelsey Croft finished off the Panthers who had only totaled 13 shots as opposed to 15 shots by the Lady Cougars, with little to no scoring chances.
On account of this victory, the Lady Cougars advanced to 1-1-0 on their record this year. Some may call it luck, but the Cougars say it’s just game. Next, the Lady Cougars will battle against Florida Southern on Friday, September 12th, at 7pm sharp in Lakeland, FL.
