SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Concordia-St. Paul women's soccer team (6-1-2, 3-1-2 NSIC) earned a 2-0 statement shutout over the Vikings of Augustana Sunday afternoon at Morstad Field with head coach Steve Bellis earning his 120th career win at the helm of the program.
Bellis on the win, "Today's first half performance was very dominant in all areas of the pitch and won us the game versus a strong Augustana side. In the second half we stayed defensively focused and earned the result."
Sophia Haase and Brooke Nelson led the squad, each scoring their team-leading fourth goal of the season to give Concordia its fourth shutout game of the year.
It was an exciting and fast-paced first half with both goals coming in the first seven minutes of the game.
Haase scored the first goal of the day and the eventual game-winner in the fourth-minute on a quick pass from Lainie Wehmhoff. The assist from Wehmhoff marked her first collegiate point in the Navy and Gold.
Just under two minutes later Brooke Nelson found the back of the net to give the Golden Bears an insurance goal to tally her second straight game with a goal and third total goal of the weekend.
With the Vikings now down two goals they showed no signs of slowing down and proceeded to rifle off four shots with two coming on goal with goalkeeper Sydney Potter saving both.
At the end of the first half the shots were even at four with both teams making two saves.
The Golden Bears showed a stout defense in the second half, seeing 10 shots and making five saves while not allowing a score. The CSP offense recorded five shots of their own, looking for a third score on the other side of the pitch.
Augustana rifled off one final shot but it was not enough after facing a dominant Concordia team that was hungry for a statement win.
Junior goalkeeper Potter earned her seventh start of the season in net, marking a season-high seven saves to bring her season total to 18 while being a steady force throughout the contest.
Leading the defense in front of the net was McKayla Stockness, Belle Abruzzo and Clare Snapko with Stella Nielsen being a mainstay on midfield for the full 90-minute contest.
Haase and Jada Cannady each tallied a team-leading three shots on the day with Haase sending all three shots on goal.
The Vikings finished the game with a 14-9 shot advantage and took eight corner kicks against the locked in Navy and Gold defense.
The Golden Bears will return to the pitch next weekend for a pair of home games against the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota and the Golden Eagles of Minnesota Crookston at Sea Foam Stadium.
