FAYETTE, Iowa. - Concordia-St. Paul soccer (1-0) kicked off the 2023 campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Upper Iowa Peacocks (0-1) on Friday afternoon.
 
The Golden Bears will remain in Fayette to take on the McKendree Bearcats in their final non-conference road contest of the season. Action is set to take place on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. instead of the original time of 2:30 p.m. at Harms-Eischeid Stadium.
 
Following the win, Head Coach Steve Bellis stated, "That was a fun battle." He added, "In the first half we struggled to find our CSP style and rhythm, but in the second half we found the ball more often, combined better and created a lot more opportunities to finish the game off."
 
"We were very happy with our defensive display and scoring two goals off set pieces was satisfying for the team," Bellis commented. "Overall, we are delighted with the first win of the year versus a strong side and look forward to the next challenge on Sunday."
 
Katie Anderson led the charge for the Golden Bears with a team-leading eight shots (four on goal) and her 23rd career goal in the navy and gold. Sydney Manthana was able to notch her first career goal in the second half to help put the game on ice for the Golden Bears. 

Jessi Jordan made her third career goal start in goal for the Golden Bears. The junior secured the clean sheet with three saves.
 
Clare Snapko added her first career assist, while Sophie Pawlyshyn added her 13th career assist. Brittany Bordson also had an impressive showing with a pair of shots in a complete 90 minute outing.
 
CSP started strong in the first 25 minutes of play by creating several opportunities and pushing the pace with four shots (two on goal) from Anderson, along with a chance from Manthana. 
 
A pass from Snapko in the 39th minute set up the first goal of the season from Anderson, as the senior was able to squeeze the ball past the Peacock goalie to net the shot in the lower right corner of the goal.
 
Upper Iowa had their chances with a trio of shots, but Jordan was able to keep the clean sheet alive with a pair of saves.
 
The opening 15 minutes of the second half saw the two squads trade possessions once again, but CSP would eventually take control. Bordson kick started the Golden Bears offense with her shot of the season in the 49th minute, while Anderson continued to add attempts with two shots of her own.
 
Following a corner kick in the 67th minute, Manthana was able to find the net for the first time in her career, while the NSIC assist leader from last season, Pawlyshyn, collected her first assist of the season to give the Golden Bears a 2-0 advantage.

The Golden Bears were able to control the pitch for the remainder of the match as Bordson, Sammy Ponsonby and Pawlyshyn provided shot attempts to help secure a 2-0 win in the season opener.