Box Score

NAMPA, Idaho — Another strong effort only left the Crusaders disappointed yet again.

The Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team played as equals with visiting Concordia for 60 minutes, only to see the Cavaliers get a game-changing goal that led to a 3-0 win at Finkbeiner Park on the NNU campus in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Thursday afternoon.

"We played very well today," NNU head coach Mary Trigg said. "We had great chances but couldn't find the back of the net.

"They scored on set pieces and that was the difference in the game."
 

The Crusaders (3-10-0 overall, 1-7-0 GNAC) control much of the first half and had quality scoring chances, which included Madi Taylor hitting the goal post in the 22nd minute, but like their coach said, failed to find the back of the net.

But NNU didn't let the Cavaliers take advantage of that fact, either, as Daniele Ortiz made three first-half saves as the teams went into the break in a scoreless tie.

Things stayed that way over the opening moments of the second half, and both teams traded chances as NNU trailed in shots just 11-9 before the game-changing goal came off a corner kick with 13 minutes, 33 seconds gone in the final session.

Bobbi Eckler sent the ball toward the NNU goal where it bounced to Kasey Ames who booted it home for what proved to be the game-winner.

Having broken the tie, the Cavaliers (9-1-2, 4-1-2) were able to take control of the contest and tacked on goals in the 71^st and 83^rd minutes to ice the victory.

Ortiz finished with five saves in the game for NNU, which was outshot just 18-14 by the Cavaliers, who moved into third place in the GNAC standings with the victory.

The Crusaders now get a week off before hitting the pitch again, playing at Central Washington next Thursday.