RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- With the season well underway and conference points on the line, the Concordia-Chicago Cougars prepared to take on the Cornell College Rams this afternoon, inside Concordia Stadium.
After a slow start, the Cougars could not be tamed in the second half as they rattled off nine goals to close out a 14-7 win over the Rams.
Inside the Box Score:
- Three Cougars recorded hat tricks this afternoon, with Emily Cyrwus, Elizabeth Cyrwus and Rylee Orenstein leading the way offensively.
- In addition to her three goals, Emily Cyrwus also had three assists and 12 draw controls.
- Michelle Ruan and Nina Naes each had a pair of goals, while Naes also had one assist.
- Overall, CUC caused 10 turnovers on the day.
- In net, Ryan McGee had a career-high five saves, four of which came in the second half alone, from point-blank range.
How it Happened:
- Cornell got on the board first this afternoon, scoring just two minutes into the match.
- Despite falling behind early, CUC responded as Madison Perkins found Naes in front of the crease as the rookie was able to find the back of the net.
- The Rams took back the lead with 21:51 remaining in the half, but this would be their last lead of the game.
- After falling behind 2-1, Elizabeth Cyrwus and Bailey Steinkamp combined for back-to-back goals and established a Cougar lead for the first time all day.
- With a 3-2 lead, the Rams settled the score with a goal at the 4:21 mark before Michelle Ruan drove towards the crease from the left wing and converted the goal. Following Ruan's goal, Naes tallied her second of the day and gave CUC a 5-3 boost heading into halftime.
- Ruan continued her scoring tear into the second half when she capitalized on a free-position attempt just 30 seconds into the frame.
- With 20 minutes to go, and a 8-5 lead, the Cougars extended their advantage when Orenstein went 2-for-2 on free position shots and bumped CUC's lead to 10-5.
- With a comfortable lead, Concordia began to stall in their offensive end of the field. As the clock showed just under seven minutes to go, Emily Cyrwus found her sister Elizabeth Cyrwus streaking towards the crease and netted CUC's 12th goal just as the shot clock buzzer went off.
- Concordia would score twice more in the final minute of regulation to boost its goal total to 14, as CUC walked away with the 14-7 MWLC victory.
Up Next:
- CUC will return to action for a midweek game this Wednesday at 3 p.m. (EST) to face Hollins University in Roanoke, VA.
