COLUMBIA, Ky.—The No. 1-ranked Concordia women’s soccer team continued its string without allowing a goal, but the defense of No. 7 Martin Methodist duplicated the feat as the two top-10 teams settled for a scoreless draw as the squads played two overtimes with a goal being scored in a neutral match held at Lindsey Wilson College’s KELME Classic on Saturday.  

 

Concordia ended the two-day tournament with a 1-0-1 mark after defeating No. 5 Lindsey Wilson 1-0 on Friday while MMC came away with a 0-1-1 mark with a 2-1 loss to No. 6 Cal Baptist.

 

Concordia (7-0-1) managed just two shots in the first half but held Martin Methodist (2-2-2) to just a single attempt before the Cavaliers emerged with six attempts in the second half.

 

With shots at a premium, Concordia was able to generate a whopping 15 corner kicks against a pair of chances for the Redhawks, but both defenses held on though two extra 10-minute sessions en route to the tie.  

 

“I’m really proud of our team. They played back-to-back games 2,000 miles away from home against top-10 teams and did not give up a goal,” CU head coach Grant Landy said. “I’m extremely happy with their effort.”

 

Half of CU’s 10 shots were on goal as MMC goalkeeper Hanit Schwarz (Beer-Sheva, Isreal) tallied five saves in the match. Sophomore forward Alex Thomas (Wilsonville, Ore./Wilsonville H.S.) notched three shots, all of which were on target, to lead the Concordia offense.

 

Tori Talbutt (Boise, Idaho/Capital H.S.) played the full 110 minutes in goal for the Cavs, stopping two shots to help extend CU’s shutout streak to 740 minutes to start the season. In eight matches this year, Concordia has outscored its opposition 16-0.

 

“We had a period in the second half where we kept the ball in their zone,” Landy said. “Alex (Thomas) had a great header for their goalkeeper just made a tremendous save. We put a lot of pressure on them and had our chances, but we just couldn’t get it in the back of the net.”

 

Concordia returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 26 when it hosts Embry-Riddle University (Ariz.). Opening kick is set for noon at Delta Park in Portland, Ore.

 

“It was a great trip. We came out here to get a taste of what it would be like to play top teams,” Landy said. “We did some things well while other areas we will need to improve upon, but the experience gained this weekend will be invaluable as the season rolls on.”