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MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. - The Georgia College & State University soccer team (8-5-4, 4-1-3 PBC) took the top team in the Southeast Region to the limit today (Oct. 24), dueling to a 0-0 tie with national No. 3 Columbus State University (13-1-2, 6-1-1 PBC) at Bobcat Field.

The Bobcats became just the third team in 16 games this season to not lose to the Cougars. The shutout of the defending Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Champions was the fourth-straight blanking for the Bobcat defense and the ninth overall this season.

The Georgia College junior goalkeeper Mary Rob Plunkett (Augusta, Ga.) was masterful today, making numerous diving, jumping and otherwise impressive saves, finishing with 11 total to tie her career single-game effort set her freshman season. CSU's Kelly Nimmo was also perfect with a trio of saves.

The first half was tightly contested, each team having just a few good scoring chances as the teams had trouble with two of the top defenses in the region. The best chance for GCSU came off the powerful right foot of senior Daria Owen (Snellville, Ga.). Owen uncorked a rocket from about 35 yards out and found the post just over 15 minutes into the game.

Another solid chance came in the first overtime, the lone shot of the 10 minute period for GCSU. A solid cross found the head of freshman Olivia Holden (Fishers, Ind.), but a diving effort by Nimmo kept the ball from finding the net.

All told, the Bobcats were out-shot 22-10, and thwarted 13 Cougar corner kick opportunities, while not recording one of their own.

The tie gives Georgia College 15 points in the conference standings on their 4-1-3 PBC mark, standing fifth, but just one behind Lander University in fourth. The top four teams host first round PBC Tournament match-ups. Today's action means the Bobcats have clinched a PBC Tournament spot, as they can finish no worse than seventh, and as high as a tie for first.

The Bobcats are back in action Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., hosting USC Aiken (6-10, 2-7 PBC) at Bobcat Field. The Pacers most recently beat Georgia Southwestern State University today 2-0.

The GCSU Department of Athletics, winners of the 2008-09 PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Georgia College prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the Bobcats' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as Twitter.com username GCSUSID for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.GCSUBobcats.com to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GCSU Athletics Hall of Fame.