The Cavaliers (2-1-0), who are ranked third in the NAIA preseason poll, took an early 1-0 lead in the 11th minute when Shea Miller scored on a header off a corner kick by Stephanie Solarek.

However, for the remainder of the first half, the two teams were evenly matched as the score remained 1-0 at the intermission. Concordia held a slim 7-6 advantage in total shots and corner kicks were even at 2-2.

Then, in the second half, the Cavaliers came out with a lot more intensity in their play. Jessica Ramback scored a pair of goals in the 48th and 51st minutes with Miller and Caitlin Verhofstadt each registering an assist as Concordia began its scoring surge to take control of the match.

Breeanne Barker extended the lead to 4-0 in the 57th minute with Verhofstadt assisting again, and Miller notched her second goal of the match in the 62nd minute to give the Cavaliers a commanding 5-0 advantage.

The Lady Cougars (1-2-0), who received votes in the NAIA preseason poll, finally got on the scoreboard in the 70th minute when freshman midfielder Challyn Dobson scored on a shot from 20 yards out off an assist from freshman forward Jena Dickerson to make it 5-1.

Sami Andrews closed out the scoring for Concordia in the 88th minute as she found the back of the net following a long cross by Kaitlyn Tebbs as the Cavaliers prevailed 6-1.

“We came out and did a great job in the first half and really frustrated (Concordia) with our tactical play,” said MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade. “I was really pleased with the way that the girls implemented our game plan and battled right with them.”

“We talked at halftime about the adjustments that both teams would make and about coming out in the second half with even more intensity since we knew that (Concordia) was a good team and that they would be coming out with something to prove,” Meade added. “The difference in the match came at the start of the second half when we came out flat and gave up the four goals in a short amount of time. That is where our youth and inexperience showed as we were unable to weather the storm and find a way to keep things close.”

Concordia finished the match with a 17-9 advantage in total shots that included a 12-3 margin in shots on goal. The Cavaliers also held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. Freshman goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen allowed four goals with two saves for MVNU, and senior Melissa Peters stopped four shots and gave up two goals. Leah Flores registered two saves for Concordia as she allowed just the one goal in 90 minutes of action.

“Our midfield really played quite well today and did a good job of executing our game plan,” said Meade. “Angie (Misamore) played well on the back line, and Nikki (Bruscino) has really played well on this trip. We can learn a lot from this match as we look to continue to improve as the season progresses.”

The Lady Cougars will return to Ohio and will be back in action on Wednesday when MVNU will host Malone College in a non-conference match that will begin at 4:00 p.m.