NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Soccer defeated Concordia University Chicago, 3-0, on Thursday afternoon. The Belles improve to 5-0 to start the year while the Cougars fell to 0-5-1.
The Saint Mary's offense would continue to dominate early in the match for the fifth straight game, and the Belles would take a quick lead less than 10 minutes in. Sophomore Isabella Kreydich (Tinley Park, IL) would play a lobbed pass over the Concordia defense as freshman Mia Johnson (Mission Viejo, CA) was able to play a touch around the Cougars goalkeeper and tap the ball in to give the Belles the early lead.
Just 35 seconds later, sophomore Danielle Escobedo (Yorba Linda, CA) would play a long ball from midfield up to Johnson, who would take around a Cougar defender and place the ball across the goal to secure her first half brace. Saint Mary's would finish the half outshooting Concordia Chicago, 10-2, as they continued to dominate their opponents on both sides of the ball.
As the second half would start out a bit slower than the first, on the hot Indiana afternoon, the Belles would extend their lead to three, once again off the boot of Johnson. After the ball would wind up in the Cougars box, Johnson would slip past one defender and take advantage of a key mistake by the Concordia goalkeeper, walking in her third goal, securing her first collegiate hattrick.
The Saint Mary's defense would continue to shine this season as they secured their third shutout of the season as the Belles continue to outscore opponents 18-2 on the season. The Belles would outshoot the Cougars 17-4 in the game, 8-3 in shots on goal. Saint Mary's opponents are averaging less than five shots a game against a tough defensive line.
Johnson would lead the game with five total shots while Kreydich would add four. Senior Grace Reyda (Penfield, NY) and freshman Bella Musachio (Rochester Hills, MI) would each add two. Johnson would tally three shots on goal while Reyda and Musachio each had two.
Saint Mary's sophomore goalkeeper Keona Caraballo (Parma, OH) made three saves on the game in her third shutout of the season. Junior Eleah Hedstrom (St. Joseph, MI) would be shown a red card in the 73rd minute of the match.
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's heads on the road for their next match on Wednesday, September 17, as they travel to Anderson University for a 5pm kickoff. The Belles then return home for three straight games, starting on September 19 as they host Wheaton College at 6pm. They will also host Earlham College and Alma College during the homestand.
