Lady Cougars Post Shutout in Season Opener at Barry

Source: Columbus State University Sports Information

Miami Shores, FL - Columbus State scratched out two first-half goals and then rode its customary strong defense the rest of the way Friday in a season-opening 2-0 win over Barry University. CSU, ranked #5 in the NFCA Division II preseason poll, will conclude its Florida road trip with a game at Rollins College on Sunday.

Host Barry controlled possession early in the contest, but CSU mounted a run in the ninth minute and a crossing pass from Kellie Myles found the head of Jill Walthall in the box and the sophomore poked the shot past Buccaneer keeper Sami Cromartie for a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Cougars got a second goal in the 16th minute when Cromartie could not control a ball in the box. Stephanie Parris was there to collect the loose ball and booted into the empty net for a 2-0 lead. That score would stand the rest of the way as CSU relied on its defense to post the shutout.

The best scoring opportunity for Barry came in the 18th minute as Michelle Tarasiuk slipped a shot past Monica Sanchez, but defender Sarah Hawkins was on the spot to sweep the shot away near the goal for an empty net save. Sanchez played the first half in goal and posted two saves, while Kelly Nimmo took over in the second half and collected four saves to preserve the shutout win.

"It was not that pretty, but a win is good any way you get it," said CSU coach Jay Entlich. "It hurt us to not have had a preseason scrimmage to get game experience. It was sort of like a football team practicing in shorts and then putting on the pads to play a game - that first hit gives you a jolt. We were fortunate enough to get a couple of goals and come away with a win."

CSU committed 15 fouls in the game, including one yellow card issued to Hawkins in the 74th minute. Barry had eight fouls and picked up two yellow cards in the first half. CSU led in corner kicks by a 6-5 count.

CSU (1-0) returns to action on Sunday as they stop over in Winter Park, FL, to face Rollins College at noon.