Falcons Topple Four-Time Defending Champions No. 6 Columbus State in First Round of the PBC Tournament, 1-0

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The University of Montevallo women's soccer team (7-8-3) has made a statement in its first season in the Peach Belt Conference. The Falcons defeated No. 6 Columbus State University (15-2-3) on the road tonight (Nov. 3) in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament. The win guarantees there will be a new PBC Champion for the first time in four years. The Falcons won with an early goal and strong defense down the stretch knocking off the Cougars 1-0.

The Falcons got on the board early as freshman Jenna Kuzemski (Victoria, British Columbia/Belmont) knocked in a cross from sophomore Natalie Martineau (Oakville, Ontario/Ecole Secondaire) just seven minutes into the game. The goal marked the first of Kuzemski's career. UM then used a strong defensive presence to hold the defending champs off the scoreboard.

Freshman goalkeeper Alyssa Maxwell (Surrey, British Columbia/Semiahmoo) had another career defining match as she made seven saves and shutout a Columbus State team who had only been beaten once the entire regular season.

It appeared as if CSU would take an early lead, but Maxwell made a nice save on a point-blank shot from Rachel Walthall at the 7:10 mark. Just 28 seconds later the Falcons scored the eventual game-winner.

The Cougars out-shot Montevallo 14-5 and had a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal.

Senior Angela Buonassisi (Coquitlam, British Columbia/Terry Fox) led the team in shots with two.

The Falcons now advance to the Peach Belt Conference Semifinals to face Georgia College and State University at 6:30 p.m. central time at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Ga. GCSU defeated fifth seed North Georgia College and State University 2-1 this evening.