CALEDONIA, Mich. – The Panthers competed in an exciting home opener against Concordia University and pulled out a comeback win over the Cardinals 4-3. Davenport found themselves down 2-0 in the first half and made an enormous momentum swing after they scored in the 43
rd minute to cut the deficit. After
Madeleine Zayan knocked in the first goal for Davenport three more were scored over a period of 16 minutes. The Panthers maintained their lead and were put to the test tonight. A test that Davenport passed and will move into GLIAC play riding a three game win streak.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-4 | Concordia-3
Location: Caledonia, Mich.
Records: Davenport 3-2-0 | Concordia 4-3-0
SHOTS PER HALF (Shots on goal)
First Half: DU-3 | CUAA-5
Second Half: DU-11 | CUAA-7
Total: DU-14 (7) | CUAA-12 (8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening 30 minutes of the first half was all Concordia University, they scored two goals and had Davenport on their heels. The Cardinals were aggressively attacking on the offensive side of the ball and were able to connect on both shots on goal. The Panthers, who have got off to a sluggish start in regards to scoring goals this season, flipped the switch on tonight. Freshman Zayan got DU on the board late in the first half from a beautiful through ball by
Roheema Bennett. Zayan took a couple touches and slipped the ball into the right side of the net to help cut the lead to one goal heading into halftime.
The halftime speech by Head Coach
Chris Allen seemed to spark a fire in the Panthers, who came out dominate in the second half.
Alice Linsell tied the game at 2-2 after she gathered a corner kick by
Lacey Chanady and poked the ball into the net. Davenport continued to create opportunities on offense and Zayan found the back of the net in the 56
th minute. After another well placed pass from Bennett, Zayan gathered the long back and chipped the ball over the goal keepers outstretched arms from the right side of the box. Bennett almost had herself a goal in the 59
th minute, she fired a shot from inside the box, it bounced off the keeper's hands and Linsell one timed the ball into the net. The Cardinals made the game interesting late after they scored a goal in the 64
th minute to cut the Panthers lead to one goal. Davenport kept their cool and fended off a couple Concordia changes to earn the 4-3 win.
UP NEXT
Davenport opens up GLIAC play on Sunday when they travel to Hammond, Indiana to play Purdue University Northwest. The game will start at 12:00 p.m. EST at Pepsi Field.
Story by:
Devin Steiner
Photo credit: Tyler Triemstra