Rajoy’s Late Heroics Earns Cougars Win Over Vikings

Columbia, Mo. – The No. 12-ranked Columbia College Cougars took on the (RV) Vikings of Grand View University tonight in non-conference action. In a high energy match that the Cougars were able to control a majority of, Columbia’s offense proved to be too much for the Vikings. Columbia out-shot Grand View 19-6 overall, and 10-3 in shots on goal. 

In the 47th-minute, a clear from the Vikings defense was grabbed by Erik Rajoy who passed it off to Diego Navia; Navia took a shot past the Vikings defender and found the back of the net, giving the Cougars the 1-0 lead. 

Grand View would level the score in the 67th-minute as Rune Peterson converted on a free-kick from outside the box. 

Late in the game, Columbia poured on the offensive pressure. The Cougars played a ball to Nick Brandt who headed the ball into the box. A miss-hit by a Vikings defender was picked-up and headed in by Erik Rajoy, giving the Cougars the go-ahead goal in the closing moments of the match. 

With the win, the Cougars improve to 4-2-3 overall. They next travel to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to take on Williams Baptist University in American Midwest Conference action. 

The Scoring:

• CC – (47:31) Diego Navia assisted by Erik Rajoy
• GVU – (67:14) Rune Peterson
• CC – (88:29) Erik Rajoy assisted by Nick Brandt

Columbia Individual Leaders:

• Goals – Diego Navia (1) / Erik Rajoy (1)
• Assists – Erik Rajoy (1) / Nick Brandt (1)
• Saves – Liam Gibbs (2)