(Ann Arbor, MI) Concordia honored four Women's Soccer players Saturday for their well-played careers as Cardinals. Rachel Johnston (SR/Ann Arbor, MI), Savannah Diroff (SR/Monroe, MI), Meghan Stephens (SR/Saline, MI), and Claire Reno (SR/Farmington Hills, MI) were all four-year players under Coach Steve Shelton and have helped turn the program around.
Shelton said, "This class will always be a special one for me as they were my first ever recruiting class. [They] came into this journey understanding that our program had not seen much success in the past, but they came anyway determined to set a foundation on which we would build a successful program." Their success has not come easy, but has come with hard work. "It cannot be overstated that these ladies have helped to set the culture of success that now flows through our program. They are first and foremost great people of great character. They are the reason this team strives for greatness every day."
A win for the Cardinals (RV) on Senior Day would have been a perfect ending to their careers, but unfortunately the Grey Wolves of Lourdes University felt differently. Jessica Grindle of the Grey Wolves scored the lone goal of the day just minutes after halftime at the 50:56 mark of the game. Grindle looped a shot from 30 yards out that somehow found its way just over the head of Cardinal goalkeeper Maria Lulgjuraj (FR/West Bloomfield, MI).
The Cardinals controlled the ball for much of the afternoon, but were unable to find the back of the net. Concordia finished with 15 shots (7 on goal) to the Grey Wolves 7 shots (5 on goal). Lora Palushaj (JR/South Lyon, MI) led the attack with 5 of the team's shots—2 of which were on goal.
After the loss, the Card's record moves to 9-5-1 (WHAC 5-2). Still fighting in the WHAC, the team will return to action this Wednesday (October 21) at home against the Golden Eagles of Cornerstone University. The contest will begin at 3:00pm at Cardinal Stadium.
Follow Women's Soccer and all Cardinal Athletics online at concordiacardinals.com and on Twitter @CUAACardinals.
