Short-Handed Drovers Salvage a Tie in Season Opener at Concordia

SEWARD, Neb. – Thursday afternoon, the No. 23 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (0-0-1 0-0 SAC) opened the 2025 regular season with a hard-fought 3-3 tie on the road at Concordia University (0-0-1, 0-0 GPAC). Despite playing short-handed for majority of the contest and trailing 3-1 at halftime, the Drovers were able to use a pair of clutch second half goals from 2024 SAC Player of the Year, Ilse de Jong.

On Thursday, the Drovers wasted no time to claim the lead as Emali Goulas scored a penalty-kick goal in the second minute. However, the lead did not last very long as the Bulldogs responded with a penalty-kick goal in the 11^th minute. To add insult to injury on the CUNE goal, Aleigha Donaldson was issued a red card, forcing USAO to play with only 10 players for the rest of the contest.

In the 24^th minute, the Bulldogs claimed the lead with a goal from the top of the box. CUNE stretched their lead to 3-1 with another goal less than four minutes to play in the first half. The Bulldogs maintained a two-goal advantage going into halftime.  

Following halftime, the Drovers trimmed the deficit to 3-2 as Ilse de Jong scored on a penalty-kick in the 53^rd minute. De Jong then pulled the score even at 3-3 with an incredible free-kick in the 61^st minute.

Despite several scoring chances for both teams, neither team was able to score for the remainder of the contest, concluding in a 3-3 draw.

As a team, USAO attempted 15 shots, with 10 being on goal, while Concordia attempted just eight shots, five of which were on target. The Bulldogs were whistled for seven fouls, while the Drovers committed four infractions. USAO attempted five corner kicks and CUNE had four attempts out of the offensive corners.  

Ashlyn Lonberg got the start between the pipes for USAO and made a pair of saves. With the tie, Lonberg owns an incredible career win-loss record to 26-3-2.

Today's hero, Ilse de Jong continued to prove that she is one of the best players in the country. The 2024 All-America has appeared in 43 games at USAO, tallying 21 goals, 12 assists, and 54 points.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Saturday, Aug. 23 as they travel to No. 15 ranked MidAmerica Nazarene University. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM CT at Pioneer Field in Olathe, Kan.

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