(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's soccer held their season opener on Saturday morning, beginning WHAC conference play against Rochester. The Warriors entered the game with two games under the belt, featuring a 1-1 record. The Cardinals controlled play throughout the game, outshooting Rochester 28-2 and cruising to a 10-0 win.
Anna Roman received the start in goal for the Cardinals, splitting time with Hayley Jacobson between the pipes. Mackenzie Rahn rang a shot off the post early in the game, setting the tone for a strong Concordia attack. The Cardinals opened scoring in the 6th minute when Kendra Lewis scored off a free kick. CUAA extended their lead in the 15th minute when Kendra Lewis kicked a long ball which was gathered in by Samantha Golchuk and tapped over the goalkeeper.
Golchuk added her second goal of the game in the 19th minute, scoring on a header after a Kendra Lewis corner kick. Golchuk completed her hat trick just a minute later after a through ball from Allison Lentz led to a breakaway opportunity. Lentz got on the board herself in the 33rd minute, knocking the ball in after a wild scramble in front of the net. CUAA held a 5-0 lead at halftime.
Concordia continued to pour on goals in the 2nd half when Isabel Stropich converted a penalty kick opportunity in the 50th minute of the game. The Cardinals took a 7-0 lead in the 65th minute when Megan Starkey jammed in a rebound after one of Amay Ciszewski's signature somersault throw-ins.
Just over a minute later, Abigael Harkins used a strong individual effort to elude a defender and fire a powerful shot in the goal for an 8-0 lead. Concordia scored again when freshman Andrea Foster notched her first career goal off a rebound on a Danielle Bracken corner kick.
CUAA reached the double-digit mark when freshman Danielle Bracken sailed a long shot over the Rochester goalkeeper's head for her first career goal. The Cardinals secured a 10-0 victory as time expired.
Concordia starts out at 1-0 on the season with the victory. The Cardinals will play their next game on the road Saturday, October 10 when they travel to Cornerstone. Kickoff is set for 7pm.
