JBU women suffer first loss of season

Photo submitted John Brown’s Kristen Howell makes a play on the ball Saturday against Concordia (Mich.) in the final day of the Olivet Nazarene Classic in Bourbonnais, Ill.
Photo submitted John Brown’s Kristen Howell makes a play on the ball Saturday against Concordia (Mich.) in the final day of the Olivet Nazarene Classic in Bourbonnais, Ill.

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Hoping to pull out an undefeated weekend after tying No. 20 host Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), the John Brown University women's soccer team allowed a goal in the 86th minute and fell by a 2-1 final in overtime to Concordia (Mich.) in the last match of the ONU Tournament at the Snowbarger Athletic Complex.

The loss ends the Golden Eagles' perfect start to the season despite out-shooting the Cardinals (4-3) by a 15-12 margin.

"It was a tough day for us," JBU women's head coach Kathleen Paulsen said. "I think it's one that we can learn and grow from. We just need to make sure we take care of the details in the final five to 10 minutes. We will move on and use this next week to prepare for the next challenge."

The Golden Eagles (4-1-1) are now 0-3-1 all-time under Paulsen in the state of Illinois.

Redshirt freshman Kristen Howell netted her first collegiate goal just 6:57 into the match, indicating early that JBU may run away with a lopsided win. Despite firing 10 shots on goal towards CUAA keeper Maria Lulgjuraj, the Golden Eagles weren't able to solve the Cardinal back line again over the final 90 minutes of play.

Sophomore Jastin Redman landed an assist, her team-leading 13th point of the season, on Howell's goal while freshman Katherine Haar paced all players with four shot attempts.

After tying the game at the 85:46 mark, Concordia outshot John Brown 2-0 in the overtime period, including Sydney Rouse's first goal of the season at the 97:19 mark of the first overtime that caught senior keeper Kristen Morency off her line. Martha Mullet, who tallied the game-tying goal, assisted on the game-winner.

Morency (4-1-1) collected five saves on seven shots fired at her in the loss. JBU out-shot the Cardinals 15-12 on the afternoon.

JBU returns to a more friendly pitch in Alumni Field on Saturday when the Golden Eagles host NCAA II Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) at 3 p.m.

Sports on 09/14/2016