Friday, November 10, 2017

LA JOLLA, Calif. – In the program’s first NCAA postseason appearance, No. 16 Concordia came away with a 3-0 win over Chico State in the opening round of the 2017 Division II West Regional Championships at UC San Diego’s Triton Soccer Stadium.

Cavaliers’ forward Sydney Van Steenberge played a big part in the victory, helping Concordia avenge its 2-0 non-conference loss to Chico State suffered on Sept. 2. Her first-half brace proved more than enough, as the Cavs earned its 12th shutout of the season.

Van Steenberge opened the scoring just three minutes into the match after connecting with a Kyra Radcliffe pass from six yards out to give the Cavaliers an early 1-0 lead. Radcliffe picked up her fifth assist of the season while Cavs’ midfielder Gabrielle Ewing recorded her team-leading seventh assist.

Concordia doubled its advantage 20 minutes later when Van Steenberge found the scoresheet for the eighth time this season. After receiving a Kasey Ames pass atop the box, the junior attempted a first-time effort that nestled into the upper right corner of the Wildcats’ net.

Cavaliers’ freshman midfielder Brenda Uribe sealed the contest late with 2:36 on the clock. Sprinting away from the Wildcats’ defense for a breakaway attempt, Uribe calmly slotted her effort past the right arm of CSUC goalkeeper Claire Abele for her third goal of the season.

Leading Chico State in goals and assists for 21 points, forward Erin Woods was limited to just two shots by the Cavs’ defense. Van Steenberge and Uribe led Concordia with three shots each while goalkeeper Anna Miller recorded her 10th shutout of the year with three saves against 17 Wildcats’ shots.

The win advances Concordia (16-3-1) to the Division II West Region semifinals, where they will play No. 1-seeded host UC San Diego this Sunday at 2 p.m.