Columbia International University Athletics

The Columbia International University Women's Soccer team started their season off on the right foot last Wednesday beating their cross town rival. Today was another battle for them as they traveled to Bluefield College in the Battle of the Rams. CIU was victorious as they scored two second half goals to propel them to a 3-1 victory. With the win CIU moves to 2-0 on the season, while Bluefield drops to 0-2.

Bluefield got the first shot of the game at the 1:05 mark, but Angel Simpson was there for the save. CIU would push the ball down the field right after that and just 1:56 into the game, Alanna Battermann would boot the ball into the top left corner to give CIU an early lead. Each team would continue to go back and forth exchanging shots over the next forty minutes. Bluefield would get on the board right before the half though as they were able to sneak a ball into the goal. Janai McMaster would get two good shots off before the break, but neither could find the back of the net so the teams would go into the half tied at one.

At the start of the second Bluefield had the momentum, but that changed very quickly as Alanna Battermann was able to get past the defense once again and score her second goal of the game to give CIU a 2-1 lead. The two teams would each get a couple more shots off, but for about twenty-five minutes the game was played in the midfield. However, CIU had another goal up their sleeve as Janie Holland was able to control a bouncing ball and put it into the back of the net to give CIU a two goal cushion. CIU would keep Bluefield off the board the rest of the game and win their first game on the road by the final score of 3-1.

Columbia International held a slim 14-13 advantage in shots with 10 on goal compared to Bluefields' 5...Columbia International three corners, while Bluefield had one...Battermann continued her early scoring spree as she had two goals, while Holland had the other...With their goals tonight Battermann now has three goals in two games and Holland has two...Angel Simpson and Sam Wammock split time in goal with both having two saves...Wammock picked up the win.

"After a long road trip it is always nice to walk back on the bus with a victory," said Head Coach Kara Farnsworth. "Alanna had a great first goal applying high pressure and finished it off with a fantastic shot. We settled in a bit to much after the goal and the relentless Bluefield attack kept us on defense the rest of the half. Angela McMaster and Janai McMaster played well in the back which helped us get organized in the second half. The teamwork finally paid off with two goals in the half from Alanna and Janie."

Player of the Match: Alanna Battermann

Battermann led the Rams with two goals on three shots. "Alanna was applying pressure all night, she never let up and that shows in the box score with her goals," said Coach Farnsworth. "Alanna has had a great start to the season and I'm excited to see how that carries over into this weekend."

Columbia International will travel to Florida this weekend to take part in the Southeastern Tournament. On Friday they will play Trinity Baptist College at 5 p.m. and then they will conclude the tournament on Labor Day as they play host Southeastern University at 5 p.m.