SOUTB BEND, IND. -- Hitting the road for their second consecutive away game, the Cougars of Concordia University Chicago fell to Saint Mary's College with a 3-0 final score.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Two Cougars put in the work in the goal with
Brooke Sheriff (Simi Valley, Calif.) getting her first start of the season and collecting three saves while
Katelyn Wagner (Lagrange, Ky.) stepped in during the second half and collected two saves.
- CUC saw four shots on the day, three of which were on target, in
Mia Hirayama (Miliani, Hawaii),
Erika Flores (Oxnard, Calif.),
Angelina Barreno (Chicago, Ill.), and
Morgan Burnap (Strafford, N.H.).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Concordia Chicago's defense was tested early in the first half with Sheriff stepping up to make multiple saves in the opening minutes, including back-to-back stops in the 4th and 6th minutes. Despite her efforts, St. Mary's found the net twice within the first ten minutes, scoring in the 9th and 10th minutes to take a 2–0 lead.
- CUC worked to respond offensively, highlighted by Flores testing the St. Mary's keeper in the 17th minute and Hirayama firing a shot on target in the 31st, but both attempts were turned aside.
- Throughout the half, the Cougars rotated heavily, making several substitutions to keep fresh legs on the field and push for momentum.
Sheriff continued to anchor the back line, collecting another save in the 32nd minute to keep the deficit at two heading into the break. While CUC showed flashes of attacking chances, they went into halftime still searching for a breakthrough against a tough St. Mary's defense.
- CUC opened the second half with Wagner taking over in net, and she was quickly called into action with a pair of strong saves in the 53rd and 57th minutes to keep the Cougars within reach. Despite her efforts, St. Mary's extended the lead to 3–0 in the 59th minute.
- CUC battled to generate offense, with Barreno forcing a save in the 66th minute and later Burnap getting a look in the 87th. The Cougars also saw several fresh players rotate in throughout the half, as the bench provided energy to push against the St. Mary's defense.
- Momentum briefly shifted in CUC's favor in the 73rd minute when St. Mary's was shown a red card, leaving the Belles down a player for the final stretch. The Cougars pressed forward, but their shots couldn't find the back of the net before the final whistle.
- CUC closed the game showing grit on both ends, with Wagner steady in goal and the attack creating late chances, but ultimately fell short in breaking through offensively in the 3–0 defeat.
The Cougars will be back in action on Saturday as they head to Kalamazoo College for a 11:00 AM kickoff. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com.
