Koalas Fall to Bulldogs in Quarter Final Matchup 1-0

The Columbia College Koalas season came to an end on Saturday afternoon with a tough 1-0 loss to the host Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs in the 3v6 matchup of the AAC Tournament quarter finals.

After a one goal difference in the same contest last weekend, both teams were up for the battle from the start with a strong wind making a big difference in the game as it blew from end to end. The Koalas had more possession and created a few half chances early on, before the Bulldogs got to grips with the game and began to assert their quality on the proceedings.

Although the Bulldogs created the better openings, there were no guilt-edged chances until a dubious penalty was given in the 32nd minute which TWU dispatched to make the scoreline 1-0.

Coming out of halftime, the wind created havoc for the Koalas in their defensive end as the Bulldogs looked to up the score, but Amorie Kostelak in goal and her defenders in front of her battled well to keep the scoreline to a single goal.

As time winded down, the Koalas pushed forward, leaving openings at the back but also creating a few opportunities themselves, as Jordan Myers and Elizabeth Schossler both had shots. Unfortunately for Columbia, it was a sense of deja vu as they were unable to find the equalizer and saw their season end with a 9-6-2 record.

The 2022 outfit did manage to record a few impressive statistics, including being the best defensive team of all time at Columbia College with a record low 19 goals allowed. Individually, Amorie Kostelak set the record for the least goals allowed by a goalkeeper with at least 1000 minutes played (15), as her and Breanna Hilton combined for a total of six shutouts on the season.

Thank you to our seniors Theresa Chambers, Amorie Kostelak, and Nathalie Stark, who have been instrumental in guiding the program to the level it currently is, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.