CSU and Florida Tech Fight to 1-1 Draw in Battle of Ranked Teams

Melbourne, FL -- A battle between ranked teams at Florida Tech's Rick Stottler Field on Friday lived up to its billing. Seventh-ranked Columbus State scored an early goal in the first half, and #17 Florida Tech answered with an early goal in the second half as the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw in a non-conference contest. CSU moves to 14-1-3 on the season, while FIT is now 14-2-1.

Gina Goforth got her team-best 12th goal of the season just over three minutes into play as she gathered in a through ball and dribbled it past keeper Melissa Pyles and deposited into the left side of the net for a 1-0 lead. That score would be the only one of the half for either team as CSU was held to just three shots, and all five of Florida Tech's were either wide or high.

In the second half, FIT opened aggressively and finally broke through the Cougar defense. Teresa Brantley took a pass from Paula Lillsjo and dribbled to her right and then fired a shot past Kelly Nimmo into the left side of the net for the equalizer at the 49:51 mark.

The Panthers would continue their aggressive offensive efforts as they fired five shots toward the Cougar goal in less than 10 minutes after the tying score. One of those was high, two were wide, another was blocked, and Nimmo made her only save of the contest on the other. FIT held a commanding lead in shots midway through the period before CSU started to show some aggressiveness of its own.

CSU got off six shots in the game's final 20 minutes as Pyles made one of her four second-half saves to keep the game knotted in that span. The Cougars got their best chance at the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute. Stephanie Parrish hammered a shot that looked to be headed into the net, but it sailed just high and centered the crossbar. CSU got off two more shots in teh final four minutes - one each by Kayla Brown and Jordan McKenzie, but both were wide.

Pyles had all four of her saves in the second half of the contest, while Nimmo's only save came early in the period. The two teams ended up with 10 shots each in the second half and FIT finished with a 15-13 advantage for the game. CSU had a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks and also committed seven fouls to just one by the Panthers.

CSU concludes regular-season play in a very important Peach Belt Conference game. After Armstrong Atlantic State's 5-0 win over Flagler on Thursday, CSU needs to win Sunday's game to clinch its fourth straight PBC Championship. A loss would give the title to AASU. Kickoff is set for 1 PM in St. Augustine.