RIVER FOREST, Ill. --- Opening the 2022 season at home inside Concordia Stadium, the Concordia University Chicago women's soccer team (0-0-1) took on the St. Mary's College Belles (0-0-1) on Thursday afternoon. The Belles struck first with a goal in the 28th minute, but a 74th-minute goal by
Meagan Wilkinson-McQuaid was able to tie the match at one.
Kassie Silenzi saved the day in net, picking up multiple high-pressure saves over the final 16 minutes to preserve a 1-1 draw to open the season.
The Belles controlled the pace early, but the Cougar back line held strong throughout the opening 25 minutes. St. Mary's finally broke through the strong CUC back line in the 28th minute. Holly Skripp played a long ball forward that was far enough to lead Jillian Bowen into open space. Bowen then placed a perfect shot from 15 yards out to put the Belles on the board.
The score remained 1-0 until CUC was able to net their first goal of the season in the 74th minute.
Britani Chansler applied pressure to the Belles back line and forced a pass to be played all the way back to the keeper. The Belles tried to push the ball forward, but Wilkinson-McQuaid won the race to the ball, took a couple dribbled then lobbed a 30-yard shot over the outstretched arms of the SMC keeper for the first goal of her career.
Silenzi then stepped up to the challenge over the final 16 minutes. The senior made three point-blank saves to keep the Belles from taking the lead. The Cougars mounted one final run late but came up empty, opening the season with a 1-1 draw.
The Cougars will be back in non-conference action on Monday afternoon when they head north to Lake Forest College. Opening kickoff is set for 4:30pm. You can find links to coverage at cucougars.com/coverage. You can also keep up with the team on Twitter @CUCWSOC.
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