CU's Tori Talbutt stopped four shots in the shuout against WOU on Monday.
CU Settles for 0-0 Draw at Western Oregon
STATS
MONMOUTH, Ore.—A day after scoring three goals against Pacific University, the Concordia women’s soccer team could not find the net against NCAA DII Western Oregon, battling to a 0-0 tie after two overtimes on Monday.
On paper, the Cavalier offense produced enough that a goal would not have seemed unreasonable. While both teams had four shots in the first half, CU dominated the second with seven shots against WOU’s one.
Overall, CU outshot WOU 13-to-7, though WOU managed to put more on goal (4-to-3).The match also turned physical early as both teams combined for 28 fouls with 15 for WOU and 13 for Concordia.
“It was a physical game with both teams getting after it,” CU head coach Grant Landy said. “It was definitely hard to get a rhythm with so many fouls. I liked how we responded and made changes at the half. We created some great looks at the goal in the second half which is a positive, but we still need a bit more composure and better touch inside of 18 yards.”
The Cavs had three excellent chances over the final 30 minutes the first of which occurred at the 62:54 mark with Hannah Scott charging to the end line and trying to scoot a ball through to the far post only to see the one-on-on chance with the keeper sail harmlessly into the side of the net,
In the 76th minute, Annika Hayman appeared to have posted the go-ahead goal as she threaded two defenders and punched in a low-flying shot into the back of the net only to see the goal disallowed on an offsides call. In the waning moments of the half, Kaylynn Winwood fired a mid-level shot from 13 yards out that got corralled on a diving save from WOU goalie Brittany Rigtrup.
The Wolves generated the best chance at a golden goal in the two overtime sessions with Rebecca Holland sending a free kick towards goal at the 97:25 mark. With the CU wall protecting part of the net, CU keeper Tori Talbutt stretched all the way to the right post to reject the would-be score at the last second for one of her four saves on the day.
“We did a really good job on defense in that we didn’t give up many dangerous chances,” Landy said.“Overall this was Tori’s best game of the year. She was fearless on corners and free kicks and made a great save near the end.”
Western Oregon next faces Northwest Nazarene on Thursday, Sept. 15, while Concordia turns its attention to Westmont College who they’ll face at noon on Saturday, Sept. 17 as part of the Southern Oregon Tournament in Ashland, Ore.
“I put these guys through the fire with this non-conferenceschedule,” Landy said.“Back-to-back games in 90 degree weather against a fresh team is a challenge and I am seeing a lot of grit from this team as they are rising up to the challenge andwe are hoping those are things that will stick with us as we head to conference play.”