Box Score
COLUMBUS, GA â€" Florida Southern’s first trip to Columbus ended with no goals scored and no goals allowed after no game was played. Its second trip ended much the same way, though this one also included a far more impressive result. This time, the 15th-ranked Moccasins played 2nd-ranked Columbus State to a 0-0 tie, the second time this year they’ve either beaten or tied a team with that ranking.
Last week, Florida Southern (5-2-2) traveled to Columbus for a neutral-site game against the University of North Alabama only to have it cancelled due to weather. This week they’re in town for two games, including Friday night’s contest against the host school. The Cougars (7-0-1) were the fourth nationally ranked team the Moccasins have faced this year, and the third ranked #6 or higher. The Mocs now have a 1-1-2 record in those games, including a 3-2 win over then-#2 West Florida on September 12.
"I think tonight was the best I've ever seen our back four play," said coach Ben Strawbridge. "They were able to handle wave after wave of attacks from a very good team, and didn't make a single mistake. Our ability to withstand their pressure was outstanding."
The first half Friday night saw very few scoring opportunities. The teams combined for only four shots, three of them by Columbus State, though the Cougars also had seven corner kicks during the opening period. The Moccasins’ only shot came from Kerri-Ann Brown in the 10th minute; they didn’t have another midway through the second half when Princess Haley had a go at one.
At one point, Columbus State held a 13-3 advantage in shots taken, but Florida Southern took five of them in the final seven minutes of regulation. The Mocs’ best chance during that stretch came in the 84th minute when Brown and Jessica Giblin each had shots blocked near the top of the box, and Brown was fouled to set up a free kick. That in turn resulted in a Florida Southern corner kick, but goalkeeper Willi Babillis punched it out to end the threat.
After each team had a single shot in the first overtime, Columbus State threatened early in the second overtime but Ashlie Haas twice prevented a shot on balls crossed into the box out of the right corner. When the Mocs then got a good shot at the other end from Emily Griffith, the Cougars turned it into another chance to score on a counter-attack, but Lexie Bottomley got back quickly to disrupt the play and help keep the game scoreless. Neither team had a serious threat after that as the Mocs played the second 0-0 game in team history. The first came in 2007 at Nova Southeastern.
Martina Tangen Billing made six saves for Florida Southern in posting her third shutout of the season. She had one of those saves late in the first overtime after a diving stop late in the second half helped send the game to extra time.
Babillis had two saves for Columbus State while playing the second half and overtime. Starting goalkeeper Mary Mancin made one save as she faced only one shot in the first half. It was the seventh shutout for the Cougars this year, who have allowed only one goal in eight games.
"Columbus State played just as well tonight and deserved to win too. In this type of game, a tie was a very good result and I was extrememly impressed with the way we played from start to finish. While I'm excited to get the tie, I think I would have been just as impressed even if Columbus State had won."
Florida Southern will play North Georgia on Sunday in Columbus at 11:00 a.m.
