Columbus, Ga.----The top-seeded and fifth-ranked Columbus State University Cougars scored midway through the second overtime Sunday afternoon, defeating fifth-seeded Wingate University 1-0 in the NCAA Southeast Regional semifinals. The Cougars improve to 20-0-1 overall, while the Bulldogs end their season at 13-3-4.
Wingate was making its fourth NCAA Tournament appearances in as many years. The Bulldogs had never appeared in the NCAA Tournament before 2011. After winning the regional title in 2013, the 'Dogs captured a second straight SAC Tournament championship in 2014 to earn another automatic bid to the NCAA Tourney. Wingate was playing in its second straight regional semifinal match. The Bulldogs are now 59-13-10 over their last four years.
The first half went by scoreless, with the Bulldogs holding a 4-1 edge in shots. Neither team had a shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Columbus State came out aggressive in the second half, putting a shot on goal in the first 70 seconds, but All-SAC goalkeeper
Ashlyn Hardie (Summerfield, N.C.) was there for the save. Wingate had a good chance minutes later when a cross was served into the box by
Kaitlyn Fletcher (Jacksonville, N.C.), towards
Jade Montgomery (Monroe, N.C.), but the All-American's header went just wide of the left post.
Sophomore forward
Brooke Howell (Charlotte, N.C.) ripped a shot from the top of the box in the 67th minute, but CSU goalkeeper
Maylyn Parsons was able to deflect over the goal to give the 'Dogs a corner kick. The Cougars had a great chance with under seven minutes to go, when
Nicole Corcione got behind the defense, but Hardie was again there to make the diving save.
After a scoreless first overtime,
Taylor Marks ripped a shot three minutes into the second overtime that hit the crossbar. Less than a minute later, it was
Kelsey Pellettier lining one into the right corner to give the Cougars the win.
Columbus State ended the day with a 15-12 advantage in shots, including a 7-2 edge in shots on goal. Each team had eight corner kicks. Howell had a team-high four shots for Wingate. Hardie finished the day with six saves, while Parsons had two saves for the Cougars.
Columbus State advances to the regional title match. The Cougars will host Lenoir-Rhyne, who advanced past North Georgia in penalty kicks on Sunday.
