A Quality Conference Opener

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/12/12)—It took Concordia one conference game to equal their 2011 MIAC victory total. The Cobbers opened the 2012 league slate by blanking Hamline 3-0. CC has now won two straight games and moves to 4-2-0 on the year.

The Cobbers have now scored 12 goals in their first six games of the year. That total is only four shy of what they produced in all of 2011. Their four wins is also just one shy of their total from last season. The three-goal conference win is the most for a CC team since the final game of the 2009 season.
  
On a day with a strong prevailing wind, the Cobbers elected to go with the breeze in the first half and it paid off in the 24^th minute when defender Brett Wegleitner knocked home a free ball in the penalty area after forward Kristian Reiersgord had played the ball into the middle of the goal area. It was Wegleitner's first goal in maroon and gold and would be the first of three points on the afternoon for Reiersgord.

Concordia was unable to further capitalize on the wind advantage and took a 1-0 lead into the break. CC had several quality opportunities in the first 45 minutes but had to settle for a one-goal advantage.

The Cobbers once again struck for a pair of goals in the first 10 minutes after halftime. On Sunday, Concordia netted both of their goals just after the break in their 2-0 win over Wartburg. CC doubled the feat by scoring at the 49:20 mark and then again at 55:10. Reiersgord was sent free on a breakaway to give Concordia a 2-0 lead. Matt Glogoza and Jared Rice combined in the middle of the park to set Reiersgord free behind the Piper backline. Reiersgord then calmly slotted the ball past the on rushing keeper to record his third goal of the season.

Rice would continue his scoring streak less than six minutes later. He was able to take a flighted ball from midfielder Michael Forston and flick the ball over the goalie's outstretched arms and into the back of the net. Glogoza earned his second assist of the game on the play. The goal was Rice's third in the last three games. The MIAC Player of the Week now has 10 points on the year after having only eight in all of last year.

Neither team was able to sustain an offensive attack for the final 25 minutes of the game. Both squads had single chances in the final 15 minutes of play.

Concordia finished the game with a 14-8 edge in total shots and an 8-3 margin in shots on goal. The Cobbers had six corner kicks as compared to only three for the Pipers.

CC goalie Peter Runquist needed to make only three saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season. That totals his output from 2011 and gives him 10 blankings for his career.

The Cobbers will look to keep their winning streak alive when they host Gustavus on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. The Gusties are currently ranked seventh in the latest NSCAA North Region poll.