RIVERSIDE, CALIF. — On Wednesday afternoon, the Concordia Women's Soccer team dropped its second conference match to Cal Baptist University. Carmany Jones scored two goals and is now leading the team in season goals with four.
At the start of the match, CBU applied minimal pressure. The Eagles moved the ball around in the center of the pitch until a failed pass gave the Lancers a touch. CBU could not seem to keep possession and gave it straight back to the Eagles. A gap could be found between the midfield and the backline giving the Eagles defenders space to keep possession and drive forward.
An attack started by defender Morgan Serres ended with a first touch shot by Kara Gilchrist who ran up to hit it from 25 yards away. The shot sailed wide right.
Carmany Jones received a pass up the left flank from Olivia Khoury in another offensive drive, and she dribbled into the box and nailed a shot into the back of the net. Jones' third goal of the season tied fellow freshman teammate Reena Kang.
With the Eagles leading 1-0, the Lancers attacked offensively. Haley Wheelon hit a lofted shot from the left side and a save was recorded for Kaelyn Whitcomb. Gaining momentum, CBU's Wheelon received a cross field pass and shot over the goal.
At 12:59, the Eagles defense seemed to slow in anticipation of an offside call, but CBU's Desarae Felix capitalized on the play and hit the ball into the net to tie the game 1-1. Play picked up and both teams got into the opposing 18 yard boxes for offensive attacks, but all attempts lacked production.
With one minute remaining in the first half, a through ball was played by Reena Kang to Megan Hussey. Hussey beat the defender and drilled a shot that was saved by the CBU keeper. Retrieving the rebound, Hussey played a perfect ball across the face of the goal for Carmany Jones to pass it into the back of the net, giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead. Jones led Concordia with four goals on the season.
22 seconds later, the Lancers counter attacked through the CUI backline to forward Miranda Hald. One on one with the keeper, Hald netted the equalizer with a pass to the bottom left corner of the goal. The Eagles and the Lancers headed to halftime with a 2-2 tie game.
The second half began and the control of the game was taken by CBU. The Eagles' defense seemed less disciplined than normally practiced, and faced some tough offensive key players. Seven minutes into the second half, the Lancers took their first lead of the match with a run through the back line and a shot from the right side to the bottom left corner of the goal.
Both teams continued to battle until the final whistle, but Cal Baptist got the 3-2 win over Concordia.
Eagles Women's Soccer returns home for a PacWest match up against Chaminade University on October 7th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30pm
