Another Step Forward

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/15/12)—Concordia continues to take steps forward during the 2012 season. The Cobbers, who were pegged to finish dead last in the MIAC, battled Gustavus for a full 90 minutes before falling 1-0 in Moorhead.

Concordia and the Gusties, who were picked to finish second in the preseason coaches' poll and earned a pair of first place votes, both had four shots on goal in the game and both had several quality chances to score. The Cobber progress can also be measured from the comparison in scores with the Gusties in the past two seasons of play. In 2011 Concordia lost to Gustavus by a 7-0 margin.    

The game hinged around a penalty kick call in the 37^th minute of play. After the Gustavus goalie punted the ball past the midline, a Gustie attacker flicked the ball towards the CC penalty area to a forward running onto the ball. The ball rolled into the CC "box" where Cobber goalie Peter Runquist went to track it down. Just before he was able to dive on the ball, the GAC attacker toe poked the ball into the corner of the penalty and forcefully out of bounds. Runquist's momentum carried him into the Gustavus forward and knocked him to the ground. The referee then awarded the Gusties a penalty kick and Grant Steine's subsequent spot kick found the right side of the net.

Concordia had a pair of chances to take a 1-0 lead midway through the opening period of play. Junior winger Michael Forston broke through the back of the defense and had two chances from inside 10 yards but both times the Gustie goalie was able to make a play on the ball.         

The Cobbers pressed forward in the final 20 minutes of play to try and equalize but were never able to get a clear chance on goal. Gustavus had a pair of quality counterattack chances in the late going. However the Cobbers were able to clear one ball off the goal line and Runquist came up with a big reaction save on a point-blank shot.

Gustavus outshot CC 11-6 in the game in total shots but the shots on goal were 4-4.

Concordia will have a week off before returning to MIAC play where they will play at Carleton on Saturday, Sept. 22.