ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Concordia Golden Bears soccer team (0-2) closes out the non-conference slate this weekend as they travel to La Crosse, Wis. on Sunday to take on Viterbo University at 1 p.m. Please note the updated kickoff time, changed from 4 p.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The Golden Bears showed some promise in the opening weekend of the season down in Missouri but were unable to come up with any points as they fell in 2-1 in double-overtime to Lindenwood (Mo.) on Friday and dropped a 2-0 decision against Maryville (Mo.) on Saturday.

"I thought we played well defensively and limited our opponents to chances, we just did not create enough chances for ourselves on the offensive side of the field, so that has been an area of focus for us this week during practice leading up to Sunday's match." Head coach Steve Bellis said about the opening weekend.
 
After getting off to slow start against Lindenwood, CSP jumped out to 1-0 first half lead when sophomore defender Jade Weller found the back of the net off a beautiful corner kick by fellow sophomore Mary Kaiser at the 32nd minute. The Lions would tie the game midway through the second half and after a scoreless first overtime, Lindenwood's Becky Roberts would find the back of the net in the 106th minute for the game winning goal.
 
On Saturday it was a defensive battle for the first half of play against Maryville as the Golden Bears held the Saints to only one attempted shot in the first half, while attempting three themselves on the offensive side of the field. However, at the 59th minute of the second half, Maryville's Allison Verville notched the first goal of the game off a free kick and then Rachel Wiesehan would add a second goal seven minutes later off a corner kick. Concordia had multiple opportunities to take the lead or tie the game, but they came up empty.
 
Sunday's match will provide a bit of a different challenge as the Golden Bears host NAIA foe Viterbo in their final non-conference game of the season. The Golden Bears are 2-4 all-time against Viterbo and have never won at Viterbo. The last time the two teams met in La Crosse, Viterbo came away with a 2-0 win over CSP. Traditionally a strong NAIA program, the V-Hawks have gotten off to a bit of a slow start as they have opened the season with a 2-4 record, but both of their wins have come at home this season.

"I like playing Viterbo, they resemble a couple teams we will be facing in conference play, which will good preparation for us. They always give us a good game and a good challenge, so we are looking forward to playing them on Sunday." Bellis said about playing Viterbo.

The V-Hawks put up a tough test last season but CSP came out on top, 4-3 in double-overtime after a very exciting and entertaining game at Sea Foam Stadium. The Golden Bears survived a scare as they built up a 3-0 lead in the first half before seeing it erased in the second half. In the end it was then senior Jessica Bianchi who scored her second goal of the game in the 101st minute to give CSP the win.