RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- After jumping out to an early 2-0 lead over Webster University in the first half, the Concordia-Chicago women's soccer team ultimately fell 4-2 on opening night, thanks to a second half comeback by the Gorloks.
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The Cougars came out hot and eager to get after their season opening contest. CUC wasted little time on the pitch too, as it took just nine minutes for
Esther Annoreno to find a streaking Torres downfield. As Torres managed the long pass, she beat a Gorlok defender and sent the ball into the upper half of the net to put the Cougars on the board.
With a 1-0 lead, Concordia-Chicago continued to work in their own attacking zone. In the 19th minute of play, Torres once again found herself working in front of the Webster goal. After a swarm of Gorloks huddled around Torres, she passed the ball upfront to Moreno, who would take her first shot of the evening. Despite the shot being deflected by Webster's netminder, Moreno took another shot off her own rebound and found the back of the net for CUC's second goal of the night.
While managing possession for 52 percent of the first half, Concordia-Chicago headed into the halftime break with a solid 2-0 lead over the defending SLIAC champions.
The Gorloks looked re-energized for half two, as they commanded the pitch after the intermission. As the half progressed, so did both teams' physicality.Â
In the 62nd minute, the Cougars fouled Webster's Savannah Page in the box that directly led to a penalty kick goal. A minute later, CUC committed another foul, this time just outside the box, that led to a free kick from about 30 yards out. Page would be the Gorlok to take the free kick, and once again found the back of CUC's net to equalize the game in just a matter of seconds.
With the game even at two goals apiece, the Cougars went back to work. But, in the next six minutes Webster would tack on two more goals to pull away to a 4-2 advantage.
The Cougars still had over 20 minutes left to battle, but were unable to tack on anymore goals throughout the remainder of the game. Overall, Webster held a 53-47 percent possession advantage over CUC.Â
CUC has a quick turnaround as they will welcome the Panthers of Greenville University to Concordia Stadium tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. Keep up with live tweets, statistics and video coverage at
CUCWSOC on Twitter and at
cucougars.com/coverage.Â