MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University used three first-half goals to shut out Clayton State University 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Peach Belt Conference Women's Soccer Tournament Saturday (Oct. 31) afternoon at the Bobcat Soccer Field.
The fourth-seeded Bobcats improved to 8-5-4, while the No. 5 seed Lakers ended their campaign at 7-6-4. GCSU will now face top seed and No. 5 nationally Columbus State University Wednesday (Nov. 4) in a 7 p.m. semifinal match in Columbus, Georgia. The Cougars had to score twice in the final 10 minutes to pull out a 2-1 decision over the University of South Carolina-Beaufort in their quarterfinal contest.
GCSU wasted little time getting ahead 1-0 as the Bobcats got a score from
Alayna Cobb at the 7:18 mark.
Mia Palumbo raced down the right sideline and sent the ball into Cobb at the far post before she buried the ball into the right corner of the net for her third score of 2026.
The Bobcats doubled their lead nine minutes later as
Mackenzly Cheely registered her sixth goal of the year as she knocked in the rebound of
Kat Wilber's initial shot that Clayton State goalkeeper Rubie Kelley saved, but couldn't corral the loose ball.
Rachel Zetina scored her third goal in as many matches with less than two minutes remaining in the opening 45 minutes to open up a 3-0 lead for GCSU. Zetina beat the Laker goalkeeper to her right after she came off her line.
GCSU goalkeeper
Kassidy Fortin tallied two saves as she registered her sixth shutout of 2026 and the seventh overall for the Bobcats.
The Bobcats held a 7-6 margin on shots, including a 5-2 edge on goal. GCSU also doubled up the Lakers on corner kicks 6-3.
About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 13 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence and is a two-time winner of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and a four-time winner of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life."
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