Box Score



NAMPA, Idaho — One clever moment spoiled "Senior Day" for the Crusaders.

A quick-kick following a foul helped Concordia fend off a spirited effort by the Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team on Saturday as the Crusaders fell, 2-1, at Finkbeiner Park on the NNU campus in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

"It's an emotional day for Senior Day, and it's definitely hard to lose on a free kick like that in the second half, but I was proud of the way the girls played," said NNU assistant coach Jen O'Neill. "They played against a good opponent, so it was a good game to watch today."
 

Playing against GNAC-newcomer Concordia — an 18-time Cascade Conference Champion — the Crusaders (5-9-1 overall, 2-7-1 GNAC) found themselves pinned back a bit early, leading to a goal 9 minutes, 8 seconds into the action for the Cavaliers (11-2-2, 8-1-1).

The early deficit only sparked NNU, which looked to send off seniors McCrea Nirider, Lexi Fesenbek, Laura Seymour, Nicole Nsa, Rebekah Kelley and Rachel Ball, in style.

And with 6:31 left until halftime, the Crusaders efforts paid off as Rebekah Kelley dropped a ball back to Sarah Jenkins, who from 40 yards out lofted a perfect shot toward the goal that sailed over the leaping reach of Cavalier keeper Nicole Franklin, tying the game at 1-1.

It didn't stay tied long, though, as 3:31 after the break came that clever and decisive play by Concordia's Shannon McMahon, who quickly played a free kick from just outside the NNU goal-box.

Setting the ball following a foul, and before the NNU defense could get set, McMahon blasted a shot inside the right post for the game-winner.

Down 2-1, the Crusaders pressured looking for the equalizer the rest of the game, but couldn't net another.

Daniele Ortiz made six saves in goal in the contest for the Crusaders, who now hit the road for games at No. 2-ranked Western Washington on Thursday and St. Martin's on Saturday to wrap up the 2015 season.