Hickory, NC – Two-time All-American Stephanie Lowery scored the game-winning goal in the 79^th minute to give the 11^th-ranked Lady Cougars a 2-1 victory over previously undefeated and sixth-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne Sunday afternoon in a non-conference matchup at the Moretz Sports - Athletic Complex in Hickory, North Carolina.

Lowery received a pass from Emily Husted from the right side of the field and fired a shot to the lower left corner of the net and notched her second goal of the season.  Her first goal in 2012 was also a game-winner versus Florida Southern in the season opener.

The win was a bit more enjoyable for Columbus State than a normal regular season victory as Lenoir-Rhyne has ended CSU's season each of the past two years in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Despite outshooting the hosts by an 11-3 margin in the first half, the Lady Cougars ended the first 45 minutes of action in a 0-0 deadlock. 

Just 5:15 into the second half, Blakely Heideman was able to take advantage of a defensive miscue as she gathered a missed clear attempt catching the L-R goalie out of position and knocking in her first goal of the season.

It was a short-lived lead as Brianna Belsky took and scored off a corner kick in the 54^th minute tying the match at one apiece until Lowery's late game heroics.

Columbus State held an 18-10 advantage in shots including a 10-3 edge in shots on goal. 

Mary Mancin earned the victory for CSU improving to 4-0 as she collected two saves in the contest.  Caitlin Scruggs kept her team in the contest making eight saves while allowing a pair of goals in 90 minutes of action falling to 3-1 on the year.

The victory over Lenoir-Rhyne gives the Lady Cougars their second win over a top-10 ranked opponent this season as they defeated then No. 8 Tampa 1-0 in the final match of the CSU Collegiate Invitational a week ago.

CSU returns to the pitch on Tuesday, September 11 when it travels to Rome, Georgia to take on Shorter in a non-conference matchup at Ben Brady Field.  Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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