CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Parkland women's held fifth-ranked Lewis & Clark's top flight attack to its lowest scoring output of the season, but fell to the Trailblazers by a score of 2-1 on Tuesday. The Cobras dropped to 2-4 on the season with the loss, while Lewis & Clark improved to 8-0.

"Our defense was fantastic today," said head coach Tim Notz. "We were really proud of our team, and we had a very solid game plan going into today. We had to believe in what we were going to do out here: be smart and work together. We also scored the second goal all season on [Lewis & Clark,] so we have to be happy about that too. Overall, I'm super proud of the girls and their effort."

Administering a bend-but-don't-break defensive effort, the Cobras held the Trailblazers to three fewer goals than any of Lewis & Clark's opponents all season. Averaging 8.28 goals entering the match, and a NJCAA-leading 56 total goals, Parkland allowed just two goals. Shutting Lewis & Clark out in the second half, Parkland became the first team all season to keep the Trailblazers scoreless in a half.

"We had to get into a groove early on," said Notz. "At halftime, we talked about a few changes and adjustments, and the girls were able to close down their players quicker and not leave so many free players unmarked."

The backbone of the defense, goalie Kierra Dahlgren saved 13 of 15 shots on goal, while also fighting off seven corner kicks.

After two initial saves in the opening 24 minutes of the first half, Lewis & Clark scored twice in five minutes, and held the 2-0 advantage into halftime.
Tallying seven of her 12 saves in the second half, Dahlgren kept Parkland in the game early in the second half with four saves in the first 12 minutes.

After Mylena Do Prado nearly set up the Cobras' first goal on a pass to Mayra Sosa, freshman Georgia Ward punched home the ensuing corner kick to cut the lead in half. The goal was just the second allowed by the Trailblazers this season.

Fending off a few more shots on goal from the Trailblazers, Parkland held the deficit at one goal, but was unable to net the equalizer.

Up next, the Cobras will play its second match in a row at home on Tuesday, September 18, at 2 p.m. when they host Illinois Central.