ST. LOUIS, Mo.- In a matchup of two undefeated teams in the American Midwest Conference, the Missouri Baptist women's soccer team allowed four second half goals and were shutout by Columbia College falling 4-0.
After scoring a school record 14 goals against Stephens, the Spartans were looking to keep the high powered offense going. Early in the first half, Columbia put on heavy offensive pressure, however, their shots missed just wide. Both teams continued to go back and forth, playing the possession battle while looking for the opportunity to capitalize and grab the first goal of the game.
The best chance in the first half came for Columbia, when a shot by Amanda Caldwell went just wide with four minutes to go. The Cougars controlled the first 45 minutes, totaling seven shots, while holding the Spartans to two.
The second half started out quick for Columbia, as Stephanie Hale found a way to beat goalie Elizabeth Kahn at the 41 minute mark, giving CC a 1-0 lead and the momentum.
Missouri Baptist caught a break late in the second half, when the team got a hand ball called on them, which resulted in a Cougar penalty kick. Caldwell took the shot and the ball went to high, keeping the Spartans in the game.
The Spartans couldn't get much going offensively, with their shots missing wide and their chances getting cleared by the Cougar defense. Later in the half, Columbia was awarded another penalty kick with six minutes to go, as Rylee Bruhn got behind the Spartan defense and was fouled by Melissa Turney in the box. Elise Castellanos capitalized on the second penalty kick of the half, scoring past Kahn giving the Cougars a 2-0 lead.
The Cougar offense came alive after the penalty kick, as Columbia scored two more times in three minutes. Hale scored her second of the game making it 3-0, as she was assisted by Kelly Ross, then with two minutes to go Rylee Bruhn scored on a breakaway to make it a final 4-0.
The Spartans were outshot in the match 19-7, as Kahn made five saves in the game. Anna Recer and Kristen Neal each forced two shots.
The Spartans record falls to 4-7 on the year, but will look to get above .500 in conference play when the team travels to AMC newcomer Lyon College on October 2nd. Kick-off will start at 12:00 p.m.
