RIVER FOREST, ILL. – On a beautiful day at Concordia Stadium, the Cougars of Concordia University Chicago women's soccer team faced off against Coe College. The Cougars never gave up on their opportunities up front, and came out on top, 1-0. Before today's game, the Cougars honored its seniors for their dedication to the Cougar women's soccer program.

Inside the Box
Goalkeeper Brooke Sheriff (Simi Valley, Calif.) came up big for the Cougars with six saves this afternoon, registering her third straight shutout.
Valeria Fernandez (Burbank, Ill.) scored the lone goal of the game in the 62^nd minute, her first of the season.
Seven seniors and two fifth years were honored tonight: Fernandez, Jacqueline Casas (Bensenville, Ill.), Pamela Saldivar (Chicago, Ill.), Melica Kenworthy (New Lenox, Ill.), Julisa Diaz (Chicago, Ill.), Madalynn Georgopoulos (North Riverside, Ill.), Lorena Jaimes (Berwyn, Ill.), Itzel Calderon (Oak Lawn, Ill.), and Allie Brown (St. Louis, Mo.)
 
How it Happened
Calderon would take the first attempt at goal, just five minutes into the game, but the ball would go just wide of the Kohawks' net. The two teams both made pushes into their offensive halves but didn't find the back of the net. Fernandez had the most dangerous chance of the half, a close range shot in the 32^nd minute, but had it deflected off a Coe defender. The Cougars and Kohawks remained tied at the end of the first half.

The Kohawks took the first chance at net in the second half, heading one over the crossbar and another soon after which Sheriff handled to keep the Kohawks off the scoreboard. In the 62^nd minute, Fernandez would pounce on a ball loose in the box and bury it into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

In case you missed it, take a look at our lone goal of the day from senior (on senior day), Valeria Fernandez!! pic.twitter.com/Up9BXipcZr

— CUC WSOC (@CUCWSOC) September 7, 2024

Concordia continued to hold its lead and show up defensively. With just under 15 minutes to play, the Kohawks got a breakaway towards the net, but Sheriff proved to be a stone wall, getting big and making a tremendous save with her foot to deny the Kohawks a goal. The Cougars would hold on to their 1-0 lead and pull out the victory, defending home turf on senior day.

She got defensive player of the week for a reason, take a look at this tremendous save! pic.twitter.com/uCiwu9z5XX

— CUC WSOC (@CUCWSOC) September 7, 2024

The Cougars next game will be Sunday September 8 at 2:00 pm. Concordia travels to Elmhurst, Ill. To face Elmhurst University. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.