(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's soccer began WHAC conference play on Saturday afternoon when the team hosted Cornerstone. The Cardinals came in 3-3 overall while Cornerstone entered 7-1 on the year. The contest required overtime to determine the winner, but Samantha Golchuk (JR/Garden City, MI) delivered for CUAA with an overtime goal to complete her hat trick in a 3-2 win.
The Cardinals struck first in the 13th minute of the game. Kendra Lewis (FR/Waterford, MI) took a corner kick and Samantha Golchuk headed her own rebound into the net to put Concordia up 1-0. Jordan Kelly (FR/Belleville, MI) made her first career start in goal for CUAA, making 2 of her 7 saves in the next 13 minutes. Cornerstone was able to tie the game with a goal in the 26th minute. Amay Ciszewski (SO/Byron, MI) and Adrienne Woodruff (SR/Commerce Township, MI) made key defensive saves for the Cardinals in the final minutes of the half, and the score was tied 1-1 at halftime.
Concordia regained the lead when Samantha Golchuk scored her 2nd goal of the game in the 63rd minute. Golchuk forced a turnover, earned herself a breakway, and fired a shot past the goalie on the left side of the net. However, Cornerstone scored less than 5 minutes later to tie the game 2-2. Jordan Kelly made 3 key saves in the final 10 minutes of regulation, and the game headed to overtime after the 2nd half ended.
Samantha Golchuk would be the overtime hero for the Cardinals with a goal just 1:12 into the extra frame. Golchuk was able to dribble past the goalie and tap the ball in the goal to complete the 3-2 victory for the Cardinals.
Concordia moves to 4-3 overall and starts out 1-0 in WHAC conference play. The Cardinals will play their next game on Wednesday, October 2 when the team travels to Madonna. The game is set to begin at 4:00pm.
