Sept. 21, 2016 - Off to a strong start to open Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play, the Concordia University Chicago women's soccer team looked to make it 2-0. They took on the Benedictine Eagles in humid, overcast conditions in River Forest. The visitors would spoil the Cougars' day taking the match 2-1 despite being outshot by the Cougars 13-7.

The Cougars had the better play throughout the early first half, getting opportunities and good runs at the net but were unable to put any on target to challenge Benedictine's freshman goalkeeper. The Eagles countered and broke through with a pivotal first goal in the 38^th minute. After a foul on CUC, Benedictine had a free kick just outside the box on the left side. The kick off the foot of Taylor Pokorny sailed over the defenders and into the back of the net to give the visitors the 1-0 lead.

Again in the second half, CUC came out with a high level of energy and continued to create chances. Alisha Johnson (Coal City, IL/H.S.) had the first two chances at it, but her shots would be blocked. Sarah LaCost (Mount Prospect, IL/Prospect) had a good look as well, but the defender just got a foot on it to send it wide. CUC finally got rewarded in the 57^th minute. Elizabeth Sanders (St. Louis, MO/Parkway South) netted her second goal of the season, when LaCost crossed the ball into the box that was touched by Nikki Anderson (Montgomery, IL/Oswego). The ball looked to be going wide left, but the outstretched leg of Sanders got just enough to squeeze it past the Benedictine keeepr to tie the match 1-1.

The Cougars nearly took the lead just over a minute later when Johnson ripped off another tough shot that was saved by Cassidy Henson. Both teams continued to battle back and forth, but it would be the Eagles getting what proved to be the game winning goal in the 74^th minute. Another free kick from 30 yards out was somehow able to sneak through traffic in front of the net and was one touched to the back of the net by Megan Anderson for her third goal of the season. The Cougars desperately searched for the tying goal but were unable to formulate any clean looks at the net over the final 16 minutes.

"We created a lot of opportunities today", remarked CUC head coach Chris Brown following the match. "We played good enough to win, we just needed to put a few more shots on frame. Set pieces determine your fate a lot of times in hard-fought games. They were able to convert today. We can use this as another step in the learning process, continue to grow, get better, and get ready for another tough match next week."

The Cougars (4-3-1 1-1-0 NACC) will have a full week to prepare before heading down the street to take on Division Street rival Dominican on Wednesday at 4 p.m. This game will count in the running for the new River Forest Rivalry Cup.