(Ann Arbor, MI) Concordia Women's Soccer welcomed the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines for a conference matchup with both teams in search of their first win on the season. The first 70 minutes of the game was a back and forth affair with both sides trading goals, but the Wolverines surged past with four goals within the final 20 minutes to pull away 6-2.
Katelyn Aiello had a brace for the Cardinals, as she led the team with two goals on the day. Hayley Jacobson totaled 20 saves in goal, and added on an assist on Aiello's second goal.
Both teams threatened early on in the game. The Cardinals won a corner kick in the first two minutes of play and Katelyn Aiello forced a save from the Wolverine keeper to keep it even. Moments later the Wolverines sent a short free kick off of the crossbar, but couldn't convert off of the play. Eight minutes into the half, the Wolverines found a window on the right wing and drew first blood with a strike from distance. Hayley Jacobson and the Cardinals weathered several attacks from UM-Dearborn later in the half to keep the game within reach. With 20 minutes remaining in the half, Katelyn Aiello struck a free kick from 37 yards out and tucked it right under the bar to equalize the game a 1-1.
Aiello opened up the second half with a deep shot that went just over the bar. The Wolverines reclaimed the lead 15 minutes into the second half when a ball snuck through the 6-yard box to an unmarked UM-Dearborn player. Not long after, the Cardinals responded when Hayley Jacobson punted a ball that bounced past the Wolverine backline and Katelyn Aiello tracked it down. Aiello dribbled down into the box and made a move to get past the Wolverine keeper and even the game up at 2-2. Michigan-Dearborn drew a foul just inside the edge of the box for a penalty kick which the Wolverines took full advantage of to retake the lead once again. The Wolverines received another penalty kick shortly after, following a handball in the box, but Hayley Jacobson made the big save to keep the score within one. With 15 minutes remaining, UM-Dearborn was able to break through and score three goals in quick succession to make it 6-2.
The Cardinals will hit the road this weekend with a match at Lawrence Tech on Sunday, September 22nd. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM in Southfield.
