No. 2 Concordia Stays Undefeated with Miracle Comeback

Georgie Christensen stopped three shots while allowing the two goals to pick up her fifth win of the season.

Salem-News.com Sports

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Down 2-1 with less than 90 seconds remaining, the Concordia University women’s soccer team put a pair of goals in the back of the net to stun perennial Canadian power the University of Victoria 3-2 on Friday in a neutral match played at The Evergreen State College.

With the result, Concordia improved to 5-0-0 on the year and will face Rocky Mountain College on Sept. 11 in Salem, Ore., for its next test. Victoria, the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) semifinalists last year and the No. 3 ranked team in Canada this year, opens its CIS season against Simon Fraser on Sept. 5.

“This ranks in the top 5 in regards to finishes to a game that I have been a part of,” Concordia head coach Grant Landy said. “We just went after them in the second half. They (UVic) are a great side and that is why we schedule games like this. This is the type of team you have to face at the end of the season.”

Victoria dominated the first half by generating two goals on seven shots while not allowing the Cavaliers an attempt. Frankee Becher posted both scores for the Vikes, the first in the 11th minute and the second in the 18th minute.

Almost a third of the way through the second half, Jackie Hendrickson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) put the Cavs on the board with an unassisted long-distance strike in the 59th minute. From about 30 yards away, Hendrickson one-timed a shot into the far post to beat the opposing goalkeeper and get the Cavs back into the game.

“Jackie’s goal was critical for us. That first one gives you a chance,” Landy said.

Putting continued pressure on the Vikes, Concordia generated the last six shot attempts and the last two corners in the match; finally breaking through for the tie with a Shelby Bloodworth (Vancouver, Wash.) score with 1:25 remaining. Moments following the kick-off, the Cavaliers possessed the ball via a UVic turnover and stormed down the field, setting up the go-ahead goal by Jessica Ramback (Mill Creek, Wash.) with 44 seconds remaining.

Ramback was fed the ball by Alex Thomas (Wilsonville, Ore.) on the game-winning score. After having a 7-0 disadvantage in shots in the first, CU tallied an 8-1 advantage in attempts in the second.

“I think we needed to get a little upset and get back to how we played instead of reacting to them,” Landy said. “There is always time to change things around and with a little more grit and better execution to create those opportunities.”

Georgie Christensen (Hillsboro, Ore.) stopped three shots while allowing the two goals to pick up her fifth win of the season. Stephanie Parker took the loss for the Vikes, allowing three goals and picking up three saves.

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