New lineup nets win for Cougars soccer team

COLUMBIA — It took 10 games for the Columbia College men’s soccer team to find a dominating lineup, but the Cougars finally achieved it with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night. The Cougars, with five new starters, beat Illinois-Springfield to become 1-1 in American Midwest Conference play and 2-8 for the season. Nick Kelly scored two goals, sending a hard shot past a diving goalie in the 25th minute and adding another score early in the second half on a breakaway. Ilya Grin also scored for Columbia College between Kelly’s, finishing a loose rebound into a open net. Goalie Zach Clem made 10 saves and nearly had his first shutout of the season, before Illinois-Springfield scored with 20 seconds to go in the game.