ST. PAUL, Minn. - CSP soccer (1-0-1) will wrap-up non-conference play this week with the Nebraska Kearney Lopers (2-0) and the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls (1-0-1) at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field in Kearney, Nebraska.
Action will take place on Friday against Nebraska Kearney at 6 p.m. and conclude on Sunday against New Mexico Highlands at 11 a.m.
RECAP OF THE WEEK
The Golden Bears finish the week 1-0-1 after claiming a season-opening win against Texas A&M International on Saturday before battling to a 1-1 draw on Sunday against St. Edwards (Texas).
Game One: CSP 1, TAMIU 0
Senior forward Sammy Ponsonby scored the eventual game winner at the 67th minute mark with a high shot to the right of the net.
Junior Kayla Matuzak made her seventh career start in the net for the Navy and Gold. Making three saves to secure the shutout.
In the first half, the Golden Bears held a 5-2 shot advantage over the Dustdevils, but neither team was able to capitalize on a goal. Belle Abruzzo had the first shot of the day at the three minute mark followed by Jada Cannady, Amaya O'Hearn, Clare Snapko and Brittany Bordson all adding shots of their own.
Texas A&M International managed a 7-3 advantage of shots in the second half, including four shots in the final 20 minutes to try and avenge the CSP goal.
Concordia was able to control the field and ultimately secure their season-opening victory.
Sammy Ponsonby led the charge for the Golden Bears scoring her fourth career goal. Cannady and Snapko each led the team in shots with two a piece.
Game Two: CSP 1, SEU 1
Senior Sydney Manthana scored in the 15th minute of the match off an assist by Sophia Haase on a low shot to the left of the net to put the Golden Bears on the board first.
Junior Kayla Matuzak made her eighth career start and second of the weekend in the net. She recorded 4 saves on the day for the Navy and Gold.
A competitive contest between the Golden Bears and Hilltoppers led to a 10-7 shot advantage in favor of the home team.
In the first half, St. Edwards came out fast, having three shots in the first nine minutes of play with two of them being saved by Matuzak. The Golden Bears held their ground and put on a strong defensive front, with the Hilltoppers making three more shot attempts before the half.
The second half, had the Navy and Gold taking the first shot followed by a back and forth half with two teams trying to edge the other. St. Edwards was able to score the game-tying goal at the 74 minute mark to ultimately close the game out in a draw.
The Golden Bears got off three shots in the final nine minutes to try and earn the victory, but a locked-down Hilltoppers defense refused to fold.
Manthana led the team with one goal and two shots along with Haase with two shots of her own.
SEASON LEADERS
Manthana and Ponsonby lead the team each with one goal. Sophia Haase leads the team in assists with one.
Junior Jada Cannady ranks first on the team in shots on goal with three.
Goalkeeper Kayla Matuzak got the start in the net for both opening weekend games playing both games in full. In the net she recorded seven saves, and a shut-out against Texas A&M International.
HISTORY BETWEEN CSP AND UNK
The two programs have met one time in program history dating back to September 2, 2018 where the Golden Bears took home a 2-1 victory over the Lopers.
ABOUT THE LOPERS
Nebraska Kearney posted a 3-13-2 (2-7-2 MIAA) record in 2023 and were picked to finish 10th in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Lopers 2-0 are off to their best start since the program emerged in 2009.
UNK opened their season playing at Sioux Falls last Friday. They were able to get off to a fast start, scoring just two minutes into the game. Midway through the second half the Lopers were able to secure their second goal of the game and eventual game winner.
Sioux Falls was able to put one in the net at the end of the second period, but the Lopers' defense stayed put, earning UNK a 2-1 win.
The Lopers played a familiar NSIC opponent in the Golden Eagles from Minnesota- Crookston this past Sunday afternoon, where they extended their program's best start.
Nebraska Kearney scored their game-winning goal midway through the second half while holding a 18-shot advantage over the Golden Eagles. Eight different players were able to get at least one shot off for the Lopers.
Hanna Schimmer leads the Lopers in shots with eight, followed by Jordan Renard with seven. Renard, Corynne Olsen and Katie Pagel each have one goal on the season and will be players to watch for UNK.
HISTORY BETWEEN CSP AND NMHU
This will be the first time Concordia- St. Paul will play New Mexico Highlands in program history.
ABOUT THE COWGIRLS
New Mexico Highlands posted a 0-14-2 (0-11-1 RMAC) record in the 2023 season and were picked to finish 13th in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Cowgirls opened the season against Sul Ross State last thursday. They were able to secure their first victory since Oct 22, 2022, snapping a 21 match winless streak. This was head coach Amanda Evans first win at the helm of the program.
New Mexico Highlands were able to score their first goal at the 83 minute mark after a hard-fought, competitive matchup, where they were able to outshot Sul Ross State 12-9.
The Cowgirls returned to the pitch this past Saturday for a contest at University of the Southwest in a competitive game that ended in a draw. NHMU scored their goal at the 16 minute mark with the Mustangs answering back eight minutes later to tie the game.
This win for New Mexico Highlands ties their best start to a season since 2013, when they also opened the season 1-0-1.
Prior to the matchup with CSP, the Cowgirls will face the Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons on Friday in Kearney, Nebraska. This will be their first time facing the Dragons.
Kate Rayner will be the player to watch for the Cowgirls. Rayner has scored both of the NHMU goals on the season and has been all over the field.
