EVANS, Ga. - Anna Grady scored the match's lone goal in the 54th minute to give the No. 7 and top-seeded Columbus State University women's soccer team a 1-0 victory over fifth-seeded University of North Georgia in the semifinals of the 2021 Peach Belt Conference Tournament.
In a defensive struggle, a corner kick was the difference. Lauren Barnes started the decisive play by sending a ball to Maria Kilset. Kilset then flicked it to Anna Grady in the box, where she put the shot past Sierra Fowler in net.
CSU (18-1-1) kept Fowler busy in net, firing 14 shots on target and 19 overall. Fowler denied 13, tying a UNG program single-match record.
"This was a typical PBC Tournament match," commented head coach Jay Entlich. "We have some of the top teams in the nation, and North Georgia pushed us to the limit once again. They are a well-coached team, and we are lucky we get to play another match on Sunday."
All-PBC first team goalkeeper Sara Halilhodzic made two key saves in the first half to complete her first solo shutout of the season.
UP NEXT
Columbus State will play in the 2021 PBC Tournament Championship on Sunday at 3 p.m. The Cougars will take on 18th-ranked and third-seeded Flagler College, who defeated second-seeded Lander University 2-1 in double-overtime in the other semifinal match on Friday.
Match Notes
• The Cougars didn't allow a shot in the second half and surrender just five all match
• It was Grady's second goal this season against UNG. The second-team All-PBC selection scored in CSU's 3-2 OT win against the Nighthawks on Oct. 20.
• CSU is 35-8-3 all-time in PBC Tournament play and 15-5-1 all-time in Evans, Ga (PBC Tournament only)
• It will be the 14th appearance in the PBC Tournament championship for Columbus State
• CSU improves to 9-0-0 all-time against North Georgia in postseason play
• The Cougars have now posted shutouts in four out of the past five matches