ROCKFORD, ILL. – The Concordia University Chicago women's soccer team opened conference play this afternoon against Rockford University. The Cougars offensive press was rewarded in the second half and the Cougars won 1-0. Concordia is now 5-3 (1-0 NACC).
Inside the Box
- Natalie Flores (Placentia, Calif.) led the team with three shots, including the game winning goal in the 61st minute.
- Seven other Cougars also took multiple shots each, for a team total of 17.
- Brooke Sheriff (Simi Valley, Calif.) made four saves in the second half to keep the shutout.
How it Happened
Concordia proved to be a force this afternoon from the opening whistle, outshooting their opponents 11-2 in the first half. Flores,
Itzel Calderon (Oak Lawn, Ill.), and
Mia Hirayama (Mililani, Hawaii) each posed offensive threats with shots for the Cougars. Concordia kept the ball in their attacking third for most of the half, pushing for that first goal. Hirayama came close to giving the Cougars the lead in the 22
nd minute, knocking one off the woodwork. However, after 45 minutes, the two teams remained at a stalemate.
In the second half, Sheriff immediately made a save to keep the Regents at bay. The Cougars' kept knocking at the door and finally tucked one into the back of the net in the 61
st minute.
Elle Wheelock (Holland, Mich.) controlled a high ball and then sent the ball into the box, where Flores one-timed it over the Regents' goalkeeper and took the lead of the game.
After the goal, Sheriff made an important save in the 63
rd minute to keep the shutout.
Marlen Bautista (Chicago, Ill.),
Quetzalli Arteaga-Vazquez (Harrisonburg, Va.), Calderon, Wheelock, and
Allie Brown (St. Louis, Mo.) each tried to add to the Cougars' lead but were denied by the Regents' goalkeeper. In the end, Flores' goal proved the difference, and the Cougars won 1-0.
The Cougars next game will be Saturday September 21 at 3:30 pm. Concordia travels to Plymouth, Wis. to face Lakeland University in another NACC game. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.Â
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