(Ann Arbor, MI) The Cardinals celebrated Senior Day Wednesday with a crucial conference match against Lourdes University. The Cardinals and Gray Wolves came into the match both tied at 4-5 in conference play, with the matchup looking to boost one of the teams into seventh place in the WHAC standings.
Concordia's offense dominated most of the game, but they were not able to score until the final seconds of the first half. Lourdes tied things up early in the second half, but Samantha Golchuk netted her second goal of the day to secure the Cardinal victory.
Seniors Megan Schulz, Olyvia Putnam, Adrienne Woodruff, Madeline Mueller, and Victoria Tenzy were recognized for their contributions to the program.
The Cardinals came out fast and furious with several attacks that forced the Lourdes keeper to make a few saves to keep the early clean sheet. Golchuk had several opportunities, with one which went just wide. Not much later Golchuk had a goal off of a Mackenzie Rahn corner kick which was called off for offsides. Lourdes had a goal of their own with 11 minutes remaining that was called back for offsides.
The Cardinal chances did not slow down as a give and go between Golchuk and Lewis resulted in shot off the post. Mackenzie Rahn also had a shot off of the post not much later in the period.
Despite controlling both sides of the field, Concordia was set to go into halftime with a scoreless draw. But the Cardinals final effort finally found the back of the net as Mackenzie Rahn sent a cross in from the right wing which bounced off of Megan Starkey in the box. The ball landed near the feet of Golchuk who sent a no doubter past the keeper to take the lead into halftime.
Less than five minutes into the second half Lourdes scored an equalizer off of a Katie Varney header from a corner kick.
The tie would not last long as Victoria Tenzy's pressure got the ball to Golchuk on the left wing. Golchuk split the two defenders marking her and hit a sliding shot to give Concordia the advantage.
Lourdes threatened to tie it up again, but to no avail as the Cardinals would walk away with a crucial conference win.
Concordia's win will move the team into 7th place in the WHAC. The Cardinals will take to Rochester University this Saturday for their final regular season match of the year. Kick off will be at 2:00 pm against the Warriors.
