Oct. 13, 2010 - The Concordia women's soccer team ended a 10-game losing streak this afternoon, earning a point in the standings with a 2-2 tie against visiting Wisconsin Lutheran College.
The Cougars were aggressive from the very start and outshot the Warriors 14-6 in the first half. However, it was the visitors that drew first blood. A foul on the Cougars in the 13th minute gave the Warriors a direct free kick about 25 yards out on the right side. Kristen Lavallee's shot was perfect, going just above Sarah Ann Evers' (Napoleon, OH/H.S.) reach but under the crossbar.
The Warriors' 1-0 lead held up until the final minute of the half. Concordia earned a corner kick, and Lindsay Dyal's (Eagle River, AK/Chugiak) cross came directly to Maggie Kucek (Midlothian, IL/Oak Forest) at the near post. Kucek headed the ball past Megan Bruce with 12.9 seconds on the clock, and the two teams went to their locker rooms tied at 1-1.
Concordia continued to have the territorial edge in the second half, and their pressure brought about the go-ahead goal at the midway point. Kucek's shot hit the post, and the ball caromed in front amidst a lot of traffic. A Cougars' rebound shot was knocked down by a handball, earning Concordia a penalty kick. Dyal converted from the spot, and the Cougars led 2-1 with exactly 23 minutes remaining.
A lapse in communications led to WLC's tying goal just 50 seconds later. Maggie Smith's shot from the left side came in front where Evers appeared to have a clear path at gabbing the ball. However, a Cougar defender got in the way and deflected the ball past Evers into the open net for an own goal.
The Cougars finished with a season-high 24 shots with Alyssa Soulis (Grayslake, IL/North) and Dyal combining for 14. Wisconsin Lutheran's Bruce made nine saves while Evers saved eight of the Warriors' 12 shots.
Concordia (0-10-1, 0-6-1 NAC) will host the Milwaukee School of Engineering on Saturday afternoon at 3:30, following the men's contest.
