Sept. 1, 2017 - The Concordia University Chicago Women's Soccer team opened up the 2017 season at home against the Bulldogs from Concordia Nebraska this afternoon in River Forest, Illinois. This was the third game on the schedule for Concordia Nebraska, but only the first of the Women's Soccer Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT) for both teams. The CIT is formerly known by the students of all Concordia's to be a part of the Men's and Women's basketball schedule. Now it is being introduced to the soccer playing field in both Men's and Women's competition. Nearly perfect weather welcomed the fans of CUC, as well as the fans and players of the opposing Concordias to Cougar Stadium to watch the first annual CIT.
 
Concordia University Nebraska came out hot and struck early with a couple of goals. The first goal of the match came off of a lead pass that turned into a breakaway for Lauren Martin who took a sharp shot at the net past the outstretched hands of Cougar goalie Ally Krajnak to break the ice and make the score 1-0 in the 7th minute. A short four minutes later, the Bulldogs struck again. A cross from Sami Birmingham to Esther Soenksen set up Maria Deeter where she headed it into the back of the net and pushed the score to 2-0 at the 11th minute early in the first half.
 
Krajnak stopped another good shot attempt right after the Bulldogs' pair of scores on a breakaway chance, to keep the game in reach. Throughout the rest of the first half the Cougars came up just short on a number of chances including a rocket off the post by senior Katie Biga in the 16th minute.
 
Late in the first half, as time was winding down, the Bulldogs were looking to gain further control of the game. A couple of opportunities were shut down by the stingy Cougar defense led by Emma Stone, Krista Pojero and company to keep the score at 2-0 going into the halftime break.
 
Coming out of the break, Concordia Nebraska controlled the pace as they did in the first half, and in the 51st minute widened their lead with a quick goal from forward, Sami Birmingham, who already had recorded an assist on the day.
 
In the 81st minute the Bulldogs put the final ball in the back of the net with a shot on goal Leigha McConnell that was blocked and deflected to Martin who sunk in her second goal of the match. Unfortunately for the Cougars, they would be unable to dent the net, and time soon elapsed with the scoreboard reading 4-0.
 
The young, scrappy Cougars could not find the rhythm offensively to gain enough momentum and put them on the scoreboard in their home opener despite playing a hard-fought game. The Concordia University Nebraska Bulldogs (3-0) notch their third win of the season, while handing the Concordia University Chicago Cougars (0-1) their first loss of the season.
 
The Cougars look to bounce back in their next game tomorrow at 2:15 at Concordia Stadium against the Concordia Ann-Arbor Cardinals. This game will wrap up CIT before CUC will host Webster University on Monday.