(Mount Vernon, OH) – Concordia women's soccer began the 2019 season with a road contest against the Cougars of Mount Vernon Nazarene on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals entered coming off a 9-4-2 season last year while the Cougars finished 11-5-3 in 2018. The match remained close for most of the game, but two late goals lifted the Cougars over the Cardinals by a score of 2-0.
Samantha Golchuk led the Concordia attack with 6 shots, 2 of which were on goal. Anna Roman made 6 saves in her first career start at goalkeeper. Isabel Stropich and Megan Schulz also recorded shots in the game.
Samantha Golchuk recorded the first shot on goal for Concordia while Anna Roman came up with several key saves early in the match to keep the game scoreless. The Cardinals kept the play mostly in the offensive zone throughout the first half, generating many solid scoring chances. However, the game remained tied 0-0 at halftime.
Samantha Golchuk had the Cardinals' best scoring chance with 34:12 remaining in the second half, sending a shot just wide with the Cougars' goalie out of the net. Mount Vernon Nazarene put heavier offensive pressure on Concordia in the 2nd half, forcing CUAA goalkeeper Anna Roman to make several more saves. However, the Cougars were able to break through with two goals in the last 12 minutes to hand the Cardinals a 2-0 loss.
Concordia will play their home opener on Friday, August 23 when they host Goshen College. The game is set to begin at 4pm.
