A goal in the first minute is all it took for SAU to advance
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Viterbo (8-9-1, 5-5-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
St. Ambrose (IA) (12-5-2, 9-2) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
St. Ambrose hosted the V-Hawks of Viterbo University and advanced to the CCAC Tournament semifinal match after a 1-0 victory this evening at St. Vincent's Athletic Complex. It was a red hot start for SAU as they scored within the first minute of the match, but could not connect again in the 90 minutes. Viterbo's defense stiffened and St. Ambrose's offense stalled as the final decision would end 1-0 in favor of SAU.
27 seconds into the match, SAU's Kendall Wendt netted the eventual game-winner after she ran onto a ball from Abigail Goff and placed it over the outstretched hands of the V-Hawk's goal keeper. Bee fans thought there would be more of that but the V-Hawks keeper would come up big in moments and this score stood for the final.
SAU dominated most of the first half as they held a 7-3 shooting edge. Both teams created two corner kicks for their side in the opening period.
The defense of SAU locked in and did not allow a Viterbo shot until the 14th minute of action.
Mia Hefner thought she would notch a goal in the 18th minute, but it would sail high and knock off the crossbar to keep the Bees' lead at 1-0.
Viterbo did try to answer, but time and time again Grace Kuchar stood tall.
The V-Hawks best attempt came in the 36th minute, but Kuchar knocked the laser of a ball out for a corner kick which SAU fended off.
Both sides headed into the halftime break at one to nil still. St. Ambrose was looking for at least one more score to lighten the breathing for themselves. That never came in the final period of play. However, SAU had more brilliant soccer to display.
It was Viterbo right out of the break before the Bees rallied back themselves. St. Ambrose had a few shots trickle just wide of the net, some even hitting the side netting, but still no score to extend the Bees' lead.
SAU had one final push after a few corner kick attempts, but nothing would come for the home side as the 1-0 decision stood.
With this win, SAU moves on in the CCAC Conference Tournament. As the No. 1 seed, SAU will host Holy Cross this Sat. for the CCAC Tournament semifinal match. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. at St. Vincent's Athletic Complex. Holy Cross defeated Saint Xavier in a penalty shootout earlier in the day. In the last match up between the Saints and the Bees earlier this season, SAU earned a 4-0 decision.