Nov. 8, 2008

Story courtesy of Concordia (Calif.) Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, CA --- In the first 11 years of its history, Concordia (Calif.) women's soccer hadn't advanced past the second round of any playoff tournament. But, as the song says, "that was yesterday, and now yesterday's gone."

The NAIA's No. 22 Concordia took down No. 7 California Baptist by a final score of 2-1 yesterday (Nov. 7), advancing the Eagles to the third and final round of the GSAC Women's Soccer Postseason Tournament.

The win was just Concordia's third victory against California Baptist and erases the memory of a 3-0 loss to the Lancers Sept. 27 in Irvine, improving the Eagles to 8-4-5 on the campaign.

"Our team played with a lot of determination from start to finish," head coach Hamid Sedehi said. "I'm proud of the way our team kept its composure when Cal Baptist tied the game, and it was a sharp effort throughout the game."

Concordia, which advanced past the first round with a win over No. 18 Westmont in a penalty shootout earlier in the week, got on the scoreboard first at 25:20. Aubree Caruana picked up a loose ball near the net and passed it right onto the waiting foot of Darlene Uriarte, who punched it past Lancer keeper Emily Evanson to give the Eagles the lead.

The advantage wouldn't last long, however, as California Baptist's Kylee Nicassio headed in a cross from Jenna Oltmanns to even the score at 1-1 in the 55th minute.

With the pressure on, however, Concordia found its stride at the right time and broke through with the game-winner when Monica Haynes netted an open-goal shot with just over 23 minutes to play.

"Jamie Carney played one of the finest games I've seen from her today," Sedehi said. "When you have a keeper playing a phenomenal game like she did, it's going to give your team a chance to win most of its games."

Carney snared two saves while Evanson turned away two shots for California Baptist.

The Eagles will square off against the NAIA's No. 5 Azusa Pacific next Friday (Nov. 14) in the final round of the GSAC Women's Soccer Postseason Tournament, with the winner earning an automatic bid into the NAIA National Championships.

Concordia had gone up, 3-1, against Azusa Pacific before falling by a 4-3 score in overtime Oct. 21, and are 0-15-1 all-time against the Cougars, who beat The Master's College, 3-0, this afternoon.