Seniors lift No. 1-ranked Concordia in season opener
MEDFORD, Ore.—Providing the game's lone score in the 86th minute, seniors
Annika Hayman (Redmond, Wash./Redmond H.S.) and
Erin Huisingh (Pasco, Wash./Chiawana H.S.) boosted Concordia University to a 1-0 win over Marymount California University in the first game of action at the SOU Season Opening Showcase on Thursday afternoon.
Held to just nine total shots, Huisingh connected on the Concordia's final attempt of the day to extend the team to its 19th straight win. After a touch by Hayman, Huisingh found space along the side of the pitch where she gained an unobstructed view of Marymount keeper Sandra Rodriguez and slotted the ball into the back of the net from eight yards out.
The score was Huisingh's 15th of her career and fifth game winner. Hayman, meanwhile, collected her 15th career assist on the play.
The Cavaliers will look to keep the streak alive on Saturday when the team faces The Master's College at U.S. Cellular Field in Medford, Ore. Concordia's all-time record for consecutive wins stands at 22 matches, a streak the team accomplished in 2002 and again in 2008.
"We were just missing that final piece in the final third, but it was a positive step forward," head coach
Grant Landy said. "They were content sitting behind the ball and their goalkeeper made some really good saves, so we just had to be patient.
Sophomore
Olivia Brock (Olympia, Wash./Olympia H.S.) got the nod in goal and stopped three shots to improve her career record to 16-0-1.
"Collectively, it was a good team effort as we had to mix some things around," Landy said. "The Master's College is a very good team that will provide a tough early test. We will have to clean some things up and do a lot better overall if we want a good result on Saturday."