Posted: Sep 01, 2021
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - In their first match in 673 days, the Saint Mary's soccer team jumped on the scoreboard early and added two second-half goals to claim a 3-0 win over Concordia University Chicago on Wednesday night.
Saint Mary's struck quickly as Jillian Bowen put the Belles up less than six minutes into play. Rose Stackhouse crossed a pass from the right touchline, and Bowen found the ball at her feet in the six-yard box as the junior finished the ball off for the first goal of the season. Stackhouse saw a strong effort of her own go off the mark two minutes later, and Izzi Linus fired a shot from mid-range high and right of the frame. The Belles continued to press the Cougars' defense over much of the opening period of play. Becca Stella had a header effort saved, and Stackhouse saw an opportunity stopped at the goal line midway through the stanza.
After a pair of shots by Bowen and Lindsey Adent missed the mark in the opening 11 minutes of the second half, Bowen broke through for her first collegiate brace. After Sophie Bubnar played the ball into space for Bowen, the junior worked her way around the defense into the left side of the 18-yard box. She lofted a shot from the edge of the box that carried up over the keeper and into the back of the net for her second strike of the day. A short while later, Rose Stackhouse crossed a ball into the box from the right side of the field. That effort found its way to the far post where Sydney Skarbek tapped in a shot from close range to put the Belles up 3-0 in the 66th minute.
Maya Cole, Emily Stross, and Caroline O'Keefe all added shots on goal over the next ten minutes of action. Defensively, the Belles locked down on the Cougars as Concordia was only able to manage an off-frame effort from long range down the stretch as Saint Mary's secured the 3-0 win at home.
Saint Mary's out-shot Concordia Chicago by an 18-6 margin. The Belles also held a 6-3 edge in corner kicks in the match.
Jillian Bowen tallied her first multi-goal effort of her collegiate career along with her first game-winning goal in a Saint Mary's uniform. Sydney Skarbek registered her first collegiate goal, and Rose Stackhouse picked up two assists. Kara Stacey collected the 90-minute clean sheet while registering a save.
The Belles (1-0) travel to Lake Forest on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. CDT match.