HOUSTON, Texas -- Second-seeded Texas Lutheran University advanced to the conference title match for the fifth time in program history following Friday's 2-1 victory third-seeded Concordia University (Texas) in the second semifinal at the SCAC Women's Soccer Tournament at SaberCats Stadium. Official Championships Website | Tournament Stats | Interview w/ Texas Lutheran Head Coach Kerwin Johnson and sophomore midfielder Natalia Cortez | Photos
After goals from Natalia Cortez and Lilly Noblett put TLU up 2-0, Concordia closed the gap when Falynn Pyterek scored her second goal of the season to make it 2-1 in the 71st minute. But that would be as close as the Tornadoes would get in their inaugural appearance in the SCAC tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- When Cortez scored TLU's first goal in the 16th minute, it was the team-leading 10th assist of the season for Klarissa Martinez. She is second in the conference in that statistic.
- The goal by Noblett was her sixth of the season, tying her for the team lead with Martinez.
- Concordia outshot Texas Lutheran, 11-9, including 10-4 in the second half.
- The Bulldogs held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks while the Tornadoes managed a slight 51 percent to 49 percent edge in time of possession.
TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Natalia Cortez (M): 3 shots, 2 shots on goal, 1 goal
- Lilly Noblett (D): 1 shot, 1 shot on goal, 1 goal'
- Callie Brame (M): 3 shots, 1 assist
- Klarissa Martinez (D): 1 shot, 1 assist
- Alysa Marquez (GK): 90 minutes in goal, 3 save, 1 goal allowed
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY (TEXAS) STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Falynn Pyterek (D): 4 shots, 2 shots on goal, 1 goal
- Kallie Krenz (F): 2 shots
- Alexandra Smithwick (D): 1 shot, 1 shot on goal
- Madelynn Murphy (M): 1 shot, 1 shot on goal
- Lora Tresco (GK): 90 minutes in goal, 1 saves, 2 goals allowed
NOTABLES
- Cortez's goal was the second-fastest goal in SCAC tournament history for TLU. Kennedy Jobe scored in the 10th minute in a 3-0 quarterfinal win over Austin College at the 2017 championships.
- Texas Lutheran advances to the SCAC final for the fifth time in program history and second time in three years.
- The two teams had just played last weekend in the final regular season game for both teams with TLU taking the 1-0 victory in Seguin.
- Concordia ends its season with a mark of 9-8-2.
UP NEXT
Texas Lutheran (13-5-1) advances to Sunday’s championship match against Trinity with opening kick at SaberCats stadium scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. It will be the sixth time the two programs have squared-off in the conference tournament with four of those match-ups coming in the conference final. Trinity holds 4-0-0 advantage in those previous title match fixtures, including a 4-0 victory in their last meeting in 2022.
