COLUMBUS - Seven different players scored for the No. 10 Columbus State University women's soccer team as the Cougars raced by Georgia Southwestern University 7-0 on Saturday in CSU's home regular-season finale at the Walden Soccer Complex. 

With the win, Columbus State clinches the Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship and will be the first seed in the upcoming PBC Tournament. It's the 13th PBC regular-season title for the Cougars and the first since the 2018 season.

"Today was a great day," commented head coach Jay Entlich. "We had an amazing turnout with all of the Homecoming Activities and it was good to see all of the student-athletes from our other teams supporting us. 

On the field, I was so glad to see our seniors get on the scoreboard on Senior Day after a long 18-month journey due to COVID. They have worked so hard and are a big reason why we are in the position that we are currently in. We accomplished one of our first goals today by winning the regular-season championship, and it's been a while since we won one as a program, so these young women should be proud of themselves."

Columbus State (14-1-1, 8-0-0 PBC) jumped on Georgia Southwestern early by scoring two goals in the first six minutes. Maria Kilset played a role in both as the senior began the scoring in the third minute after receiving a great pass from Brooke Ouimette. Nearly three minutes later, it was Kilset setting up Vanessa Aviles, who headed one home for her third goal of the season. 

The Cougars had another burst of goals after the clock hit the 20th minute. CSU found the back of the net three times in just over a 10-plus minute stretch with Lauren Barnes, Rachael Sweigard and Avery Hanson all scoring for Columbus State. Sage Smith got in on the action right before the half to put Columbus State ahead 6-0. Kelly Hendricks played a beautiful ball into the box for the freshman's second goal of the year.

CSU played a calm second half but did add on in the 72nd minute. Off a Hanson corner kick, Michelle Lamorte headed a pass to Lizz Forshaw on the opposite side of the box to flip the GSW (7-6-1, 2-5-1) backline. Forshaw wasted no time, heading it by Meredith Gilleland in net. 

Columbus State outshot GSW 26-1, including an 18-0 margin over the first half. Sara Halilhodzic and Lizzie Hedrick split time in net to pick up the pair's eighth combined shutout.

UP NEXT 
Columbus State begins the final week of the regular season with a non-conference match at Tusculum University on Wednesday, Oct. 27. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. at Pioneer Field in Greeneville, Tenn. 

MATCH NOTES
• With Kilset and Hanson getting in the goal column, the Cougars now have 15 different goal scorers this season
• The goal for Hanson was the first in her three-year career at CSU
• Kilset now leads the nation (NCAA DII) with 11 assists. Her 11 helpers are now tied for the fourth-most in CSU single-season history. 
• The seven goals are a season-high for CSU. The previous high for the Cougars was five (at Saint Leo University & vs. USC Aiken)
• Barnes is now tied for sixth in the PBC with six goals on the year. It was the freshman's first goal at the Walden Soccer Complex
• It was the first shutout for CSU since blanking Lincoln Memorial University 3-0 on Oct. 6
• The Cougars closed out their regular-season home schedule with a perfect 6-0-0 record 
• Columbus State improves to 15-0-0 all-time against Georgia Southwestern