Columbia International University Athletics

Soccer season has officially kicked off at Columbia International University as the women's soccer team opened against cross town rival Columbia College. The Rams came out on top tonight and opened the season with a convincing victory, as they won 2-0.

From the opening whistle the Rams controlled play and took the first shot of the game just over two minutes in. The teams would then trade a couple shots back and forth, but the Rams were able to get on the board at the 12:22 mark. Alanna Battermann was able to cross the ball into the box for Janie Holland to control and after a little work on her end, Holland was able to deposit the ball in the corner. Over the next twenty minutes the Koalas were able to get off three shots compared to one for the Rams. However, that had no ill effect on the Rams as Holland and Battermann were back at it for the Rams. This time was just a little different as they both broke away from the defense and it was them against the keeper. Holland was able to get the ball to Battermann who sneaked it under the keeper to give the Rams a two goal lead. The Rams would get three more shots off before the end of the half, but none would go in and they would take the 2-0 lead into the half.

In the opening ten minutes of the second half the Koalas would get off four shots, but the Rams made them really hurry their shots as a couple went high and Angel Simpson made a save on one. Each team would continue to push as the Koalas were trying to get in the game and the Rams were trying to break the game open even more. Neither team would be able to find the back of the net for the rest of the game so as the clock hit zeroes at the end of the second half the Rams walked off the field with a 2-0 win to open the season.

Columbia International outshot the Koalas, 14-12, including 6-3 in shots on goal...The Rams had four corner kicks, while Columbia had one...Holland and Battermann each had a goal and assist...Angel Simpson had two saves, while Sam Wammock picked up the win and had one save.

"It was great to open up the season with a victory and to have a shutout in the opening game against a good Columbia College team is huge," Columbia International Head Coach Kara Farnsworth said." We have been talking about unity a lot this preseason and the girls came out and showed unity all over the field today and that shows with the two goals on the scoreboard. We have some good things to take away from this game and we will look to build upon that as we continue throughout the season."

Player of the Match: Janie Holland 
"It feels really good to open with a win tonight in front of our home fans. Alanna and I had a great connection going tonight, she is so fast so throughout the offseason I worked on condition so I could keep up with her. I give a lot of credit to her for my goal because she did a lot of work before I was able to find the back of the net. Our whole team played great tonight and to have a shutout is a testament to the unity we have as a team."

This was the third meeting between the two cross town rivals and the Rams hold a 2-1 advantage...The Rams have never lost to open a season as they won in 2015 and 2017, while tying in 2016.

The Rams will be back in action on Tuesday, August 29 as they travel to Bluefield College. They will return to play at home on September 16 against Guilford College with kick off scheduled for 4 p.m.