Columbus –  The 22^nd ranked Columbus State University women's soccer team scored two goals in the opening half and held off a late surging Florida Southern team to win 2-1 in the season opener Friday night at the Walden Soccer Complex in Columbus, Georgia.

CSU wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Kelsey Pelletier knocked home a penalty kick just 3:03 into the contest.  The PK was setup by Kansas Bayly who was attacking up the right side and was taken down inside the box.

The Lady Cougars continued to put the pressure on taking six shots over the next 24 minutes including a pair by freshman Claire Belay put were unable to find the back of the net.

Just 33 seconds after she subbed into the contest, in the 27^th minute, Stephanie Lowery connected on the eventual game-winning goal that was served into the box by Kayla Brown.  Lowery, who just was cleared earlier Friday afternoon by the NCAA for a sixth year due to medical reasons, calmly ripped her first touch of the year into the top left corner of the net for her 34^th career goal.

Coming out of the break, Columbus State continued to dominate the flow of the game in the early portion of the half before the Mocs were able capitalize on an error which game them life.

A misplay in the box left Kayla Wilhide open in the box in a one-v-one situation against Mary Mancin and beat her high to the top left side of the net just off the fingertips of Mancin.

Each team had three shots the remainder of the contest although Florida Southern had the only dangerous opportunity with only 14:02 left in the match.  Danielle Hancock fired a low shot which Mancin saved diving to her right and preserved the victory.

Columbus State improves to 6-1-2 all-time in season openers dropping only a 4-0 result to Tampa in 2007.  The Lady Cougars are also 14-3-3 against teams from the Sunshine State Conference.

CSU held a 15-4 advantage in shots including a 10-0 edge in the first half.  Mancin picked up the win allowing just one goal and saving a pair of shots while Erin Moseley suffered the loss allowing two goals while registering three saves.

The Lady Cougars will return to the pitch on Sunday, September 2 as they host No. 8 Tampa in the final match of the CSU Collegiate Invitational.  Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m. at the Walden Soccer Complex.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Men's Team of the Week: Nov. 25

Women's Team of the Week: Nov. 25

ECNL Boys Ohio Valley Players to Watch