COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Florida Southern College women's soccer team ended its out-of-state trip with a 4-0 loss to No. 23 Columbus State University at the Walden Soccer Complex Saturday afternoon.
The Mocs (1-1-0) struggled in the first half, giving up three goals in the opening 20 minutes. The Cougars (2-0-0) controlled the offensive front with 11 corners ahead of their 14 shots to win the weekend and remain undefeated to start the 2024 season.
The game's opening minutes traded possessions as both teams were testing the defensive pressure. However, three minutes in, Columbus State had its first real opportunity with a corner taken by Sarah Hungerford for Abigail Akerson to find an opening to the left of the goal.
Florida Southern could not find a goal in the next 10 minutes before a one-on-one tackle by the Mocs in the box led to a penalty kick opportunity. FSC keeper
Carly Brodsky guessed the correct side, but the ball was still outside of her reach for the goal by Vanessa Aviles.
In the 20
th minute, the Cougars again found the offensive edge with crossbar shots by Aviles and Faith Knoedler, before a third shot by Akerson found the net for the third goal by CSU.
Substitution changes for the Mocs entered
Jasmin Adames, who quickly went to work with a shot on goal in the first four minutes on the field, though saved to remain scoreless for FSC.
Mocs had shots by
Morgan Elliott and
Jamie Klein to wrap up the first half, outscored by three and in need of goals.
Brosky opened the second half with back-to-back saves, with another two shots by Adames out wide on the FSC offensive side. Klein and
Claire DuRee shots on goal in late efforts, but CSU keeper Heidi Harris kept FSC with a score.
A CSU cross in a crowded box hit the foot of FSC and into the net for an own goal and a 4-0 Columbus State game turned the final score in the last 10 minutes.
FSC was out-shot 14-to-10 despite a stronger second half by the Mocs. The 11-to-4 corners advantage by CSU emphasized the time of possession and attack by the Cougars throughout the game. Brodsky ended with two saves, with CSU's keeper Harris snagging three in the shutout.
The Mocs will return to Lakeland for their home opener against Bentley University on Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. on Berend Field.
