The fifth-ranked Emory University women’s soccer team looked strong in a pair of spring exhibition games against NCAA Division II opponents, defeating Georgia College and State University 2-0, and suffering a narrow loss to Columbus State University, 1-0 on Saturday.

Coming off a trip to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III tournament in the fall, the deepest tournament run in the program’s history, the Eagles did not take long to shake off the winter rust in the pair of 60-minute games.

Emory’s opening game was the 1-0 loss to Columbus State, a team that went 19-2-1 in 2010, en route to winning the Peach Belt Conference and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.  The Eagles were able to control possession for the majority of the game, but could not score, and the Cougars were able to convert on a corner kick for the game winner.

In the second game of the day, the Eagles offense came alive against Georgia College and State University (7-7-3 in 2010), scoring a pair of goals, while shutting out the Bobcats on the defensive end.  Emory scored the first goal of the game in the first half, as a corner kick from sophomore Lee Bachouros was headed on frame by sophomore Katy Kruse, and headed again into the back of the net by junior Caroline Coates for the goal.  Coates also assisted on the second goal of the game, which was scored by freshman Kelly Costopoulos.

Sophomore Erica Stein played the entirety of both games in goal for Emory, allowing just one goal in her 120 minutes of action during the day.

“We are very happy with our Spring season and felt like these games gave us a great starting point for next fall,” said Emory head coach Sue Patberg.

Emory will open its Fall 2011 regular season on Saturday, September 3^rd at Chapman University in Orange, Calif.  The Eagles’ home opener will be on Sunday, September 25^th, as Emory will host Maryville College (Tenn.) in a rematch of last year’s NCAA Tournament first round match.