Bulldogs fall to 0-2 on the year with 6-1 loss at #24 Benedictine College

Benedictine College, ranked No. 24 in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, picked up an easy 6-1 women’s soccer win over Concordia on Wednesday night in Atchison, Kansas.  The host Ravens improved to 1-1 on the year, while the Bulldogs remained winless at 0-2. 

The Ravens took the lead just nine minutes into the contest on a goal by Ashley Washburn.  Erin O’Brien and Cassie Trandahl each added goals for Benedictine in the opening half of the play, and the Ravens held a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime. 

It was more of the same in the second half, as Hannah Francescon scored two straight goals for Benedictine to put the Ravens up 5-0 with 20 minutes remaining in the contest.  Trandahl added her second goal of the game to put the Ravens up 6-0.  Concordia scored its lone goal in the final minute, as Becky Walrath (Lincoln, Neb.) scored her first goal of the season. 

Benedictine totaled 31 shots compared to just 13 for the Bulldogs.  Francescon finished with two goals and an assist to lead the way for the Ravens, while Trandahl also delivered two goals for Benedictine.  Erin O’Brien totaled a match-high nine shots on the evening.  Carissa Gregory made eight saves and allowed just the one goal to pick up the win in goal. 

Mallorie Blanck (Manhattan, Kan.) had four shots on goal to lead Concordia.  Jamie Sanchez (Lincoln, Neb.) added three shots on goal in the loss.  Senior goalie Ariel Harris (Valley Center, Calif.) had a tough night, allowing the six goals in just over 74 minutes of action.  Lindsey Spaits (Bloomington, Ill.) finished the game in net for the Bulldogs. 

The schedule doesn’t get any easier, as Concordia will now travel to #23 Kansas Wesleyan University on September 6.