Kyleigh Marshall and the Cavalier offense attempted 25 shots agianst Rocky Mountain.
Concordia Upends Rocky Mountain in Corban Classic Opener
SALEM, Ore.—Boosted by a penalty-kick conversion for the go-ahead goal, No. 2 Concordia defeated Rocky Mountain 3-1 in women’s soccer action at the Corban Classic on Friday.
With the win, Concordia improved to 6-0-0 on the year, extending its regular season undefeated streak to 30 matches with its last non-postseason loss a 1-0 setback against Carroll College in a neutral match on Sept. 14, 2007. Concordia will face No. 18 Carroll on Sunday in Salem to conclude action at the Corban Classic. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Warrior Field.
Carroll (5-0-0) defeated Corban (2-3-1) 4-0 in the second match of the day on Friday. Rocky Mountain (0-4) will play Corban on Saturday.
“I thought this was probably one of our better games from start to finish,” CU head coach Grant Landy said. “We didn’t have any long moments where we struggled and maintained a high level throughout. Rocky best 0-4 team around. They have some dangerous players and they tackle hard. We had chances early but couldn’t finish which is something we will have to work on.”
Rocky Mountain opened the scoring for the game as Chloe Pennisi (Livermore, Calif.) was able to find the net in the 26th minute of action.
The Cavaliers were able to answer moments later as freshman Alex Thomas (Wilsonville, Ore.) sent back a header after a deflection off the cross bar in the 31st minute to even the score.
Nearing the end of the half, the Cavs pulled ahead for good as senior Carli Godard (Roseburg, Ore.) converted on a penalty kick after a hand ball was called inside the Rocky Mountain box.
Jessica Ramback (Mill Creek, Wash) rounded out the CU scoring with a successful attack in the 59th minute after recieing the ball from a series of passes initiated by Kelton McFadden (Boise, Idaho) and Kaitlyn Tebbs (Bend, Ore.).
Concordia outshot Rocky Mountain 25-6 with Ramback taking seven shots alone, four of which were on goal, to single-handedly outshoot the Battlin’ Bears.
“The field was a challenge for both teams, but I think we knocked the ball around very well from the back to front players,” Landy said.
Gerogie Christensen (Hillsboro, Ore.) captured her sixth win of the year as she stopped three shots and allowed the single goal in 90 minutes of action. Brittany Knudtzon (Kent, Wash.) recorded nine saves as the Rocky Mountain starting goalkeeper.
Sunday’s match against Carroll will feature top 20 undefeated teams. Concordia is 5-3-1 all-time against the Saints.
“It has always been a good battle,” Landy said. “They are athletic and quick. We had a good result against them last season and I’m sure they will be aiming to play us on Sunday.”