KENTUCKY BOUND! Tars Down CSU to Advance to Nat'l Semifinal

WINTER PARK, Fla. (November 23, 2014) - Down a score in the first half, eighth-ranked Rollins fought back with a pair of unanswered goals to defeat Columbus State, 2-1, in Sunday's National Quarterfinal. The Tars now move on to the National Semifinal for the first time in program history, traveling to Louisville, Ky. on December 4^th. Before this year, Rollins had never gotten out of the third round.

With the win, the Tars improve to 19-2, continuing to extend what was already a team record for wins in a season, while CSU ends their season with a record of 21-1-1.

Rollins outshot the Lady Cougars, 14-7, for the game, including 6-1 in the second half.

Emma Jones and Brenna McKee both scored in the victory while Samantha Collin and Paxton Sickler tallied assists. Sickler, McKee and sophomore Emma Bloom each took a game high three shots.

Nicole Carcione accounted for CSU's lone goal, her ninth of the year, while Kelsey Pelletier was credited with the assist.

In goal, Mary Spring played the full 90 minutes for Rollins, finishing with three saves. Maylyn Parsons also played the full game for the Cougars, allowing two goals and collected five saves.

The Tars found themselves in unfamiliar territory midway through the first half on Sunday, falling behind for the first team in six games when Carcione put away a cross from Pelletier in the 19^th minute.

Jones would eventually pull Rollins even in the 32^nd minute, burying a deflection from inside the six-yard box after a Collin free kick. The goal was the senior's eighth of the season.

The score would hold at 1-1 through the half and deep into the second period before McKee would score what turned out to be the game-winner in the 72^nd minute, heading in a corner from Sickler. The goal was her second game-winner in NCAA Tournament and is now tied with Sickler and Mora Johnson for the team lead with 14 goals.

Rollins will now take on the winner of CSU Stanislaus and Colorado Mines on December 4^th in the National Semifinal in Louisville, Ky. on December 4^th. Kickoff time is yet to be announced. Stay tuned to RollinsSports.com to follow along with the Tars' quest for a National Title.