Box Score

BLUEFIELD, Va. – Bluefield College's first conference game since returning to the Appalachian Athletic Conference was spoiled on Saturday, as Columbia College picked up the 1-0 win in women's soccer action at the East River Soccer Complex.
 
A goal from Ashley Tanner lifted the Fighting Koalas (2-1, 1-0 AAC) to a 1-0 lead in the 67^th minute of play. Bluefield (0-1, 0-1 AAC) managed just three shots during the remainder of the game, with both on-target attempts being saved by Kat Yahnke—who played the second half following a clean opening 45 minutes from Morgan McCray.
 
The two teams traded possessions early on, with neither able to create a quality scoring opportunity. Amber Tanner recorded the first shot of the contest in the 7^th minute, but it was easily snagged by BC's Amanda Brown who made her collegiate debut in goal.
 
Jacquelyn Chick and Lyndsey Pelletteri each recorded shots in less than a two-minute span for Bluefield, but neither was able to find the back of the net.
 
Columbia tallied four shots in the final 14 minutes of the first half, but the scoreboard remained steady at 0-0 thanks to three saves from Brown.
 
The Koalas held a 7-3 shot advantage in the first half, but several of the on-target attempts were from long range and were easily gathered by Brown.
 
Columbia began the second half quickly, posting three shots within the first five minutes of play. The Koalas grabbed the 1-0 lead shortly after a throw in was headed downfield to Amber Tanner. She took several touches downfield, made her way into the left side of the box, then slid a pass to the center of the box where her sister Ashley beat a charging Brown.
 
Bluefield outshot Columbia 3-2 the rest of the way, but could not find the equalizer. Whitney Browning had the best opportunity as a transition ball found Courtney Bell in motion toward the Koalas' net. The senior sent a through ball to the box where Browning took a touch in stride and fired it on-goal. But, Yahnke came up with the big save, as she caught a piece of the ball to send it off the crossbar before being cleared by her defense.
 
Kali Furry had BC's final shot, but the attempt from the top of the box was sent wide left in the 77^th minute.
 
Columbia finished the game with the 15-7 shot advantage and took the only two corner kicks of the game. The Koalas were whistled for 11 fouls to Bluefield's four.
 
Brown finished the game with nine saves. McCray had two saves in her first half of action, while Yahnke made the big save to maintain her team's 1-0 lead.
 
Bluefield returns to action on Tuesday, hosting Emory & Henry College at 7 p.m.