Cougars Take Down Hannibal in AMC Quarters

Columbia, Mo. – The No. 2-seed Columbia College men’s soccer team broke open a one-goal game with two goals in a span of four minutes to open the second half as the Cougars downed Hannibal-LaGrange University 4-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2023 American Midwest Conference (AMC) Tournament Saturday at R. Marvin Owens Field.
 
Columbia improved to 10-4-4 with the win, while Hannibal-LaGrange had its season come to an end with a 3-8-4 record. Columbia hosts the winner of No. 3 Missouri Baptist and No. 6 Harris-Stowe on Tuesday, November 7 at a time to be determined.
 
The Cougars broke through in the 32nd minute after a foul outside the box that resulted in a free kick. Guy Baskerville’s bicycle kick went off the crossbar and then after a save on Rece Gilmore’s first attempt, Gilmore buried the rebound to make it 1-0. The goal for Gilmore was his first of the season and sixth of his career.
 
The Cougars outshot Hannibal-LaGrange 7-3 in the first half, registering four shots on goal. Each team had five corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes.
 
Columbia got two goals in the opening four minutes of the second half to extend the lead. Joshua Peterson buried a shot from just outside the 18 in the 47th minute, and then Joao Pimenta headed home a cross from Sidiki Kromah at 49:00 to push the lead to 3-0. The goal for Pimenta was the first of his career.
 
Miguel Gonzalez added an insurance goal in the 71st minute to round out the scoring. 
 
The Cougars outshot Hannibal-LaGrange 18-4 and had an 8-6 advantage in corner kicks. Columbia goalkeeper Alejandro Molto Munoz (7-3-3) and the Cougar defense allowed one shot on goal en route to its 11th shutout of the season.
 
NOTES: Columbia leads the all-time series with Hannibal LaGrange 25-8-3 … Columbia is 5-0-3 at home this season and extended their unbeaten streak to 16 games dating back to the 2022 season … The Cougars have won 10 or more games in 15-straight seasons.