(Chicago, IL) The inaugural women's soccer Concordia Invitational Tournament was hosted by Concordia University Chicago and saw teams from Concordia University – Ann Arbor (CUAA), Concordia University Nebraska (CUNE), Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), and Concordia University Chicgao (CUC) participate in the two-day event. The Cardinals swept the tournament defeating CUW, 1-0 on Friday morning and CUC, 4-1 on Saturday afternoon. While no true champion was declared, CUAA was the only team to go 2-0. CUNE finished 1-0-1, CUW 0-1-1, and CUC 0-2.
Ten days had passed since the Cardinals opened their season with a 3-1 over Cleary University and the Cardinals managed not to lose their attacking ways. The Cardinals attempted 23 shots their first game of the season with another 24 being launched against the Cougars. While not as many shots found the net as Coach Abbott would have liked, the Cardinals only needed one.
With 40 second left in regulation, Heather Emke (SR/Novi, MI) found herself at the right place at the right time. The senior mid-fielder, put a foot on a rebounded ball and placed it perfectly pass the goalie to give the Cardinals the thrilling victory and second win of the season. It was Emke's 2nd goal of the season.
In game two, the Cardinals faced the host school, Concordia University Chicago. The Cougars came into the game 0-1 losing to Concordia University Nebraska, 4-0 on Friday night. The Cardinals once again attacked early and often. The Cardinals managed to fire off 24 shots again with 4 finding the back of the net. Janaya Lothian (JR/Hamilton, Ont.) put the Cardinals on the board early when she received a well placed ball from the hero in game 1, Heather Emke at 17:11 in the first half.
Ten minutes later, Sydney Rouse (SR/Canton, MI) scored her 2nd goal of the season on an unassisted goal. Rouse rifled a shot from outside of the 18ft box and placed in the left corner of the net to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. In the 57th minutes, Julia Palushaj (JR/Northville, MI) would score her first goal of the game when she received a cross ball from Janaya Lothian and one-timed it from 6 yards away. The Cougars got on the board in the in the 68' minute but Palushaj responded 5 minutes later with her 2nd goal of the game to extend the Cardinals lead, 4-1.
The Cardinals will come back to Michigan for a couple days of training before traveling to Indiana to face Marian University on Wednesday, September 6th. The Knights will come into the match receiving votes in the first NAIA Coaches poll and with an overall record of 2-2. The Knights two losses come against teams currently ranked in the top 25, UNOH (1) and Martin Methodist (14). The game will be played at 4pm on the St. Vincent Health Field.
