Cougars Fall at NCAA Division I SEMO

Cape Girardeau, Mo. – The No. 9-ranked Columbia College women’s soccer team could not break through in a 1-0 loss at NCAA Division I Southeast Missouri State University Thursday in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

SEMO improved to 4-2-1 with the win, while Columbia suffered its first loss of the season and dropped to 4-1.

Emma Brune scored the game-winning goal for SEMO at the 69:55 mark with a header off a corner kick.

Each team recorded five shots in the opening half, with both teams recording two shots on goal. Columbia goalkeeper Natalie Allison made her lone save of the first half in the first two minutes of play.

SEMO had a scoring opportunity in the fourth minute after Allison came out of her box for a 50-50 ball. With the net wide open, Cayla Koerner fired a shot from 20 yards that was cleared off the line by a Columbia defender.

Riley Porter’s shot in the 23rd minute nearly trickled in the net but SEMO goalkeeper Sopia Elfrink snagged the ball before it went over the endline.

Ayanna Clarke nearly broke the tie in the first minute of the second half, but her header off a free kick went just wide left.

After SEMO took the lead in the 70th minute, Columbia nearly broke through a minute later when Clark fired a shot from inside the box that Elfrink stopped for the save.

SEMO outshot Columbia 10-9 and each team recorded four shots on goal. SEMO also had a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks. Allison finished with two saves in the loss.

The Cougars host No. 14 John Brown University on Monday, Sept. 18 at 4:30 p.m.

NOTES: SEMO has won both all-time meetings between the two teams … The Cougars were shut out for the first time this season.