SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia Women’s Soccer went 30 minutes west to face York University at noon on Saturday (Sept. 14). Hannah Haas made the difference with a score right before halftime in the 2-1 win over the Panthers. The Bulldogs come back after being down 1-0 for their first win in four games, at the York Soccer Complex.
CUNE moves to 2-2-1 to break even on the year and have one more contest before entering conference play. Head Coach Nick Smith commented on getting back in the win column.
“I’ll take it. It is certainly what we strive for and was one of our goals for today. I don’t think our performance was where it needed to be. It is a step in the right direction. Again, it is good to get a result when you are not playing your best, but we have a long road ahead of us.”
Entering the final minute of the first half, Kierstynn Garner attracted a few defenders outside of the box and sent a pass to an open Hannah Haas. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native received the ball with a touch and crushed a bending shot to the opposite side of the goal for her first score of the season. Haas, a midfielder, has earned more minutes as a senior and now has three goals in her career.
Coach Smith said, “She (Haas) really helped turn the game. She was constant energy. She was really proactive and got to her spots. She picked up the ball in the box and had a really confident finish.”
In the 49th minute, the Panther goalkeeper kicked the ball in an attempt to get it out of the box and hit the back of another teammate and into their own goal. Haas created the pressure, pushing the defender back into the ball.
Goalkeeper Angela Banks was able to punch out six saves in seven shots on goal. The Saint Joseph product has doubled her starts (5) from her previous three seasons. The Bulldogs’ back line was still missing all-conference Hannah Kile for the second straight game.
York was able to take the advantage in shots (13-7) but much of the offensive play stayed with Concordia with seven corner kicks to its opponents one. The two teams matched each other in fouls (9).
The Panthers scored off a defensive error by the Bulldogs in 28th minute claiming the early lead in the game. Laia Gallego garnered the unassisted score. York (3-2) will look to bounce back versus the Coyotes of Kansas Wesleyan on Wednesday at home.
Concordia (1-2-1) will have a quick turn around before facing Nebraska Wesleyan (4-3) at Abel Stadium on Monday. First kick is at 7 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs and Prairie Wolves are deadlocked in history with a 4-4-2 record against each other.