Sept. 1, 2011 - The Concordia-Chicago women's soccer team made sure that Thomas Goines' coaching career got off to a good start. The Cougars shut out visiting Beloit College 3-0 on a very hot and muggy afternoon to earn their first Opening Day win since Sept. 1, 2005.
The Cougars controlled the play in the first half in taking eight shots to the Bucs' four. The tandem of sophomore Alyssa Soulis (Grayslake, IL/Grayslake North) and newcomer Abby Jest (Milwaukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran) played long ball against Beloit's defense in the first part of the half. Finally, in the 28th minute, they made good on the connection as Jest's thru ball sprung Soulis free. Soulis dribbled into the box and beat Alex Spirov with a low shot to the center of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Concordia's defense played solidly and marked Beloit's returning top scorer Molly Dickson closely. Dickson still managed a couple of decent scoring chances, firing a shot from 30 yards and later heading a cross from close range. Both times, however, freshman goalkeeper Callie Hasselbring (Houston, TX/Cypress Ridge) had good anticipation and was able to make the saves.
Beloit had their best run of the day in the first 15 minutes of the second half, but Concordia was able to keep things tight in the final third of the field. They weathered the storm and then scored a big insurance goal in the 72nd minute. Soulis worked free in the right corner and crossed the ball to Maggie Kucek (Oak Forest, IL/H.S.) in the center of the box. Kucek's shot from 12 yards out sailed high past Spirov and into the net for a two-goal lead.
The Cougars' third goal came on a gift from the Bucs' defense. Gorana Micevic's (Norridge, IL/Ridgewood) cross from the right side along the end line deflected off a Beloit defender. The change of direction caught Spirov leaning the other way, and the ball settled into the net for an own goal.
Concordia's defense did the rest, not letting Beloit get too many legitimate chances at goal down the stretch. The Cougars finished with a 14-6 edge in shots, and Hasselbring recorded four saves in posting the shutout in her first collegiate game.
"This was a very good first game for us, and I am very happy right now," said Goines following the game. We did a lot of good work on the field, and we know that we are going to get even better over the course of the season."
The Cougars return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 6 when they play at the Milwaukee School of Engineering in the first game of Northern Athletics Conference play.
