CU's Erin Huisignh scored the game's only goal at the 22:54 mark against Trinity International on Saturday.
Single Goal Enough as No. 3 Concordia Holds Off Trinity International
BOX SCORE
PORTLAND, Ore.—Clinging to a one-goal lead for the final 67 minutes, the Concordia defense stifled Trinity International’s attack en route to a 1-0 win in NAIA women’s soccer action held at Delta Park on Saturday.
Less than three minutes after taking the field for the first time in her collegiate career, freshman Erin Huisingh connected on a 12-yard strike to the far post to give Concordia the only goal it would need to claim the victory in the team’s season opener. TIU fell to 0-2 on the season after a 2-0 defeat at Corban University on Thursday.
“Erin took her time and put in a good first touch. She stayed composed which is something we didn’t do a lot of in the box today,” CU head coach Grant Landy said.
The first shot of the season for Huisignh would go down as the eventual game-winner as the third-ranked Cavaliers would hold the visitors from Deerfield, Ill., to just a single shot attempt in 90 minutes of play. Concordia outshot the Trojans 8-to-0 in the first half and 4-to-1 in the second to finish with a 12-to-1 spread. The home side also accumulated a 7-to-0 advantage in corner kick opportunities.
TUI keeper Elizabeth Burynski played a quality game with seven saves, including five in the first half alone. CU keeper Tori Talbutt collected the shutout after denying a single shot.
Senior Tahlia O’Loughlin was credited with the assist on the lone goal of the day.
“I thought we played really well defensively. For our first game out, our shape was consistent in the back,” Landy said. “The heat took its toll on us in the second half. With 90 degrees on the turf we just had to grind it out.”
Next week, Concordia will host the top two teams in the NAIA, according to the preseason coaches’ poll. Concordia will play three-time defending NAIA champion Lee University (Tenn.), in a No. 1 versus No. 3 matchup on Thursday at 7 p.m. The match is preceded by a 4 p.m. match between No. 2-ranked Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) and Canadian power Trinity Western (B.C.).
On Saturday, the top two teams in the NAIA poll (Lee and Azusa Pacific) will duke it out at 1 p.m. while Concordia will host Trinity Western at 4 p.m. All games of the two-day tournament will be held at Delta Park in northeast Portland.
“It’s a great opportunity to have the three-time champs coming into our house,” Landy said. “We are going to have to put in a good week and be better in the final third against them, but we are definitely excited for the game.”