Cruz scores twice to power Pride women's soccer to 2-1 victory over Culver-Stockton

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Facing a team with a similar record in Heart of America play, the Clarke University women's soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over Culver-Stockton College at Burrows Field on Wednesday night.

Both goals came off of the foot of Genevieve Cruz as she scored in both the first half and the second half for the first two goals of the game. Cruz scored in the 26th minute to start the scoring off of an assist from Shannon Catchur as she scored her second goal of the game in the 62nd minute unassisted.

The Wildcats weren't going to go away quietly down 2-0 as they came back less than a minute later in the 63rd minute to make it a one-goal game once again as Isabella Aranda scored off of an assist from Angela Lloret. That was the only strike against CU goalkeeper Brynlee Ward all night as she made five saves in total to keep CSC from tying the game for the Pride's ninth win of the season and fifth inside of the Heart.

That fifth win inside of conference play puts Clarke in a tie for fifth place and two games ahead of the closest teams on the outside looking in for a spot in the conference tournament. With a head-to-head win over Culver-Stockton and games against Grand View and MidAmerica Nazarene next week, wins could push the Pride up to as high as fourth place, which would give them a home game to open tournament play on Nov. 6.

Up next, however, for CU will be a road matchup against No. 5 Central Methodist this Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. CT kickoff scheduled in Fayette, Mo. between the Pride and the Eagles.