RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- With playoff implications bearing its heaviest weight yet this season, the Concordia-Chicago women's soccer team will take on Aurora University tomorrow night, with the winner moving on to the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Quarterfinals.



LAST TIME OUT: Last Saturday, CUC dropped a heartbreaker of a one-goal game to NACC rival, Concordia Wisconsin. The Falcons took a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute of play and managed to hang onto the tight lead, while holding the Cougars to just five shots.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Cougars currently sit in the sixth seed in the NACC standings, with a 5-5 conference record. The Spartans of Aurora are just below CUC, with a 4-4-2 league stature this season. In order to clinch a playoff berth, Aurora must defeat the Cougars, however, Concordia-Chicago can secure a playoff spot with a win or a draw.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS: The Spartans are 5-7-2 on the year, with four of their five victories coming during NACC play. Alexis Abelove currently leads the AU offensive efforts with 15 points as the team is averaging 1.33 goals per game compared to CUC's 1.29. 

ALL-TIME VS. AURORA: With the series dating back to 2001, CUC has never defeated the Spartans. The all-time series stands at 0-18-2 in favor of Aurora, however the Cougars have earned a draw their last two times out against the Spartans. A draw would be enough for Concordia-Chicago to advance to the NACC playoffs.

FACTS YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT: The Cougars rank fourth in the NACC with goals allowed in conference play, as keeper Madeline Kroll has let just 10 goals past in 10 games. Aurora is just behind CUC with 11 goals allowed. Kroll is also fifth in the league for most saves, with 74. For the Spartans, Taylor Joiner and Anessa Munoz have shared time in net, combining for a 1.46 goals allowed average. Last week, the Spartans defeated MSOE 1-0, whereas the Cougars dropped a 1-0 overtime game to the Raiders back on Oct. 10.

Kick off is slated for a 7 p.m. start time in Montgomery, Illinois at Spartan Stadium. Keep up with the action at cucougars.com/coverage.