Concordia, Ranked #2 in the NAIA, Downs Willamette in Women's Soccer, 3-0
SALEM, ORE. -- Concordia University (Ore.), ranked #2 in the nation in the NAIA, scored once in the first half and twice in the second half to defeat Willamette University, 3-0, on Sunday, Sept. 9 at Sparks Field. The Cavaliers received two goals from Alex Blalock and one goal from Hannah Kimsey to remain undefeated at 6-0. Willamette dropped to 2-2.
SALEM, ORE. -- Concordia University (Ore.), ranked #2 in the nation in the NAIA, scored once in the first half and twice in the second half to defeat Willamette University, 3-0, on Sunday, Sept. 9 at Sparks Field. The Cavaliers received two goals from Alex Blalock and one goal from Hannah Kimsey to remain undefeated at 6-0. Willamette dropped to 2-2.
The Bearcats, who compete in NCAA Division III, kept Concordia off the scoreboard for most of the first half, before Blalock scored her first goal of the evening at 40:09.
Blalock broke in from the right side on goalkeeper Nicole Price (Jr., GK, Auburn, WA/Thomas Jefferson HS). When Blalock was about eight yards away and still to the right of the goal, she shot across the face of the goal. The ball hit the left post and went across the goal line.
The Cavaliers continued to maintain a 1-0 lead until 63:00, when Kimsey produced the second goal. She received a short pass into the penalty area from Erin Huisingh. Kimsey dribbled a few times and then shot into the goal from 9 yards out.
Blalock completed the scoring with an 18-yard shot at 80:03 that went into the net about a yard inside the right post as Price made a diving effort to deflect the shot.
Concordia accumulated 14 shots during the game, including five shots on goal. Willamette finished with one shot, an attempt by Sarah Desautels (So., F, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Park HS) that was on target, but was saved by CU goalkeeper Tori Talbutt in the first half.
The Bearcats threatened on several other occasions, but were unable to set up a scoring play.
Talbutt and Nicole Franklin shared the shutout for the Cavaliers. Talbutt played the first 83:55 in goal, while Franklin was in the net for 6:05. Price played all 90 minutes for Willamette and earned two saves.
Concordia held a slim 2-1 lead in corner kicks. Both teams were called for 13 fouls.
Willamette will return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 12 in the Bearcats' Northwest Conference opener at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).
Andi Rowan played all 90 minutes against the Cavaliers.