ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Concordia-St. Paul soccer team (4-7-4, 4-4-4 NSIC) used two first half goals to come away with a very challenging 2-1 victory over U-Mary (3-7-3, 3-6-2 NSIC) on Saturday afternoon at Sea Foam Stadium.
 
"It was a great battle in a close game. We talked about composure in front of goal and Salo showed that today! This game sets us up nicely for our remaining games." Head coach Steve Bellis said following the win.
 
It didn't take long for the first goal of the game to be scored as Concordia's Brooke Salo would score her first collegiate goal just under two minutes into the game giving CSP an early 1-0 lead.
 
For the 20 minutes it was a well-balanced contest as both teams had their opportunities to score but in neither could capitalize until the 25th minute of the game when U-Mary's Taylor Weeks would header the ball into the back of the net off a corner kick from Megan Searson tying the game at one.
 
After the Marauders would tie the game, it would Salo again who notched her second goal of the game just 10 seconds later giving the lead back to the Golden Bears. Salo's second goal would be assisted by Jordan Rowan-Stafford.
 
Both teams combined for 18 shots in the first half, 11-7 in favor of the Marauders. Megan Searson and Emily Julian each attempted three first half shots for U-Mary while Brooke Salo's two shots led the way for Concordia in the first half.
 
In the final 45 minutes of play U-Mary continued to be aggressive trying to tie the game but could not beat goalkeeper Emily Nelson for a second time despite outshooting the Golden Bears again in the second half 10-6.
 
The Marauders best chance to tie the game came in the 85th minute when Emily Julian attempted a headers off a corner kick that would be saved by Nelson. U-Mary had another shot attempt late in the game but again it was Nelson making another big save for the Golden Bears.
 
Nelson came away with her third win of the season while making eight saves on the afternoon.
 
U-Mary would end up outshooting CSP 21-13 for the full game. Leading the way for the Marauders was Emily Julian who attempted five shots while Michelle McGeary and Kylee Welch each attempted four shots. Jade Smith and Megan Searson each attempted three shots on the afternoon for U-Mary.
 
For the Golden Bears, Salo led the way with four shots while Hannah Pavek added three shots and Katri Gifford attempted two shots for CSP in the win.
 
Salo's four points are a new career-high for the sophomore midfielder.
 
The Golden Bears return to action tomorrow as they host #11 Minot State at 1 pm. Live video of the game can be found at cspbears.com/watch.