BOX SCORE

INTERVIEW WITH HEAD COACH COREY HOLTON

INTERVIEW WITH AXITA PATEL

Austin, Texas – Axita Patel scored the game-winning goal and dished out an assist in leading the Concordia University Texas women's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Mississippi College on Thursday, Oct. 27 at St. Stephen's. By recording their first-ever victory over the Choctaws, the Tornados punched their ticket to the American Southwest Conference Tournament.

Concordia controlled the early part of the match and got on the board first in the ninth minute. Patel received a pass from Lena New near the endline to the left of the goal and crossed the ball to an open Kendall Williams, who fired it to the back of the net. New and Patel were credited with assists on the play.

Mississippi College (10-7, ASC 7-5), however, fought back and would end up outshooting Concordia in the first half. After several failed opportunities, the Choctaws netted the equalizing tally when Molly Dearborn took a pass from Melanie Brenner and lobbed the ball from 20 yards away over the head of goalkeeper Olivia Jablinski and into the top right corner of the net.

But after the break, Concordia got the go-ahead goal it needed to hang on for its ninth victory in its last 10 matches. Just 44 seconds into the second half, Patel stole the ball away from the Choctaw defense and rocketed a shot past goalkeeper Bethany Roberson to the right post to give the Tornados the lead for good. Mississippi College had plenty of chances to at least knot the score to force overtime, but the visitors could not cash in on any of the 12 shots and seven corner kicks they earned over the final 45 minutes.

Concordia's Jablinski recorded her 12th win of the season by making five saves on 19 chances. Mississippi College's Roberson suffered the loss despite turning away seven of the 13 shots she faced.

Concordia (12-5, ASC 9-3), which has won nine of its last 10 matches, concludes the regular season at home on Saturday, Oct. 29 when it hosts Louisiana College at 1 p.m. Seniors Lauren Browning, Kiera Ruck and Hilary Wagner will be recognized for their contributions prior to the contest.

Notes: Concordia added to its school records for overall wins (12) and conference wins (9) in a single season by recording its first-ever win over Mississippi College today … The Tornados, who have never previously finished higher than sixth in the standings, will be guaranteed the third seed in the upcoming six-team American Southwest Conference Tournament by beating Louisiana College on Saturday because they own a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Patriots … Olivia Jablinski and Axita Patel added to their school records for career wins (12) and career assists (11), respectively.
-agate-
Mississippi College (10-7, ASC 7-5)     1     0     -     1
Concordia (12-5, ASC 9-3)                      1     1     -     2

Mississippi College: Scoring – Molly Dearborn (1-0), Melanie Brenner (0-1). Goalkeeping – Bethany Roberson (90:00, 2 GA, 7 saves).
Concordia: Scoring – Axita Patel (1-1), Kendall Williams (1-0), Lena New (0-1). Goalkeeping – Olivia Jablinski (90:00, 1 GA, 5 saves).