Box Score
Oct. 14, 2014 – The Concordia Cougars women's soccer team returned to Northern Athletics Collegiate Conferenec play on Tuesday hosting archrival Benedictine University. It was a gray day that started with a deluge that almost flooded the field, but some quick work by the grounds crew saved the day. Once the game started, the Cougars dominated and won by a 3-1 score.

"We have been emphasizing that we need to play soccer our way," said CUC head coach Thomas Goines. "Today we played some good soccer in less than ideal weather conditions. Keeping the winning streak going really helps our momentum, and every conference game is important as we look to finish the season strong."

The Cougars started a bit slowly as the Eagles had a number of corner kicks in the first 10 minutes while CUC was trying to clear their lines. But the Cougars soon gathered momentum, led by the play of Alisha Johnson (Coal City, IL/H.S.) who rampaged down the right side of the field and caused havoc with the Benedictine defense. In the 25^th minute, Sarah LaCost (Mount Prospect, IL/Prospect) took advantage of the attention being paid to Johnson to sneak behind the defense on the right side. Her driven cross found Gabby Garza (Fenton, MI/H.S.) on the back post for the opening goal of the game just 30 seconds after Garza had entered the game.

The half ended with the Cougars holding on to their slim one-goal lead and a 6-5 edge in shots. The Cougars just missed claiming a two-goal lead late in the half as Katie Biga's (Centerville, OH/H.S.) shot beat the Eagles' keeper but caromed off the left post.

The Eagles got off a couple of early shots in the second half, but the Cougars exerted their dominance shortly thereafter. In the 54^th minute, Johnson got free down the right hand side and crossed the ball into the box to be finished by Allison Kruk (Elgin, IL/St Edward) in front of goal. Following the kickoff, there was a tense moment as a long shot by the Eagles hit the crossbar. The ball was alertly held out of the goal by Calle Hasselbring (Houston, TX/ Cypress Ridge) while her entire body was in the goal.

Kruk was crucial for the Cougars once again as, just four minutes later, she rose up in the box and headed home a Natalie Weinhold (St. Peters, MO/Lutheran St. Charles) corner kick for a 3-0 lead. The third goal also gave the Cougars 54 on the season tying them with the 2005 team for most goals in a season with three regular-season games to play.

In the 80^th minute, the Eagles were able to claw a goal back on a penalty kick to make the final margin 3-1 in favor of the Cougars. But the defense regrouped and prevented the visitors from getting any closer as CUC closed out a needed victory.

In addition to tying the record for goals on a season, the Cougars broke the school record for assists in a season with their 46th helper. The win was the Cougars' 10th on the season, making it four consecutive seasons and six in the hostory of the program that the team has achieved double-digit wins.

The Cougars' next match is at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee on Saturday. Game time is at 1:00.