Concord Uses Set Piece to Down West Liberty, 1-0

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A free kick goal from sophomore midfielder Reeanna Cook in the 49^th minute of the game was enough for the Concord University women's soccer team to defeat West Liberty, 1-0, Sunday afternoon in a Mountain East Conference game at the YMCA Cline Complex.

Despite the Mountain Lions (8-3-2, 7-2-1 MEC) taking nine shots in the first half, it wasn't until the fourth shot of the second half—and 13^th of the game—that CU was able to break the scoreless tie.

Concord had three shots off a corner kick in the 48^th minute, but was unable to find the back of the net. After West Liberty (5-3-3, 4-4-2 MEC) attempted a clearance, freshman midfielder Wilma Hedenberg kept the ball into the attacking third of the field and subsequently drew a foul 25 yards from the goal to set up Cook's free kick.

The Norfolk, England native found the top of left corner of the net as she beat WLU goalkeeper Zara Wickert for her fifth goal of the year.

The Hilltoppers stole back some of the momentum and controlled play for the next 10 minutes. 

Junior midfielder Anna Davis took a shot from similar distance, as Cook's goal, in the 64^th minute, but Wickert made a nice save. Graduate defender Olivia Bekeleski also had a good look at goal in the 78^th minute as she cracked a shot off the crossbar.

The best attempt for the Hiltoppers came in the 66^th minute as a shot from well out crept over the crossbar for Concord's one-goal lead to stand up for the full 90 minutes.

CU owned a 23-9 advantage in shots. Bekeleski and junior midfielder Leah Flemaing each took four shots and combined for five shots on target. Concord also took nine of the game's ten corner kicks.

In her first start of the season, junior goalkeeper Savannah Bates made three saves to collect her second career solo shutout.

Prior to the game, the women's soccer program recognized Bates, Bekeleski, midfielder Michelle Brogden, defender Sophie Clutter, defender Jordyn Dansby-Ross, forward Kylene Franklin and forward Alexa Todd on Senior Day.

CU begins a two-game road trip at West Virginia Wesleyan 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.