The Best 0-Fer Team In The Land

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/20/14)—Concordia is one of 32 teams in all of NCAA Division III still looking for their first win of the season and, after Saturday's 2-0 loss to defending MIAC champion Gustavus, it is very clear that the Cobbers are the best 0-fer team in the land.

Concordia scrapped, battled and pressed the conference preseason favorite Gusties for the entire 90 minutes and had several chances to dent the back of the Gustavus net.

The game was the MIAC opener for the Cobbers and drops their overall record to 0-7. Gustavus wins for the fifth straight game and improves to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Gustavus put Concordia on its heels early but the Cobbers turned were able to turn up the pressure in after the 20-minute mark. Unfortunately for CC they were down a goal after the Gusties scored from a rebound shot in the 13th minute of play.

Concordia then turned up its intensity on the ball and were rewarded with chances inside the Gustavus penalty area. Midfielders Jacob Schmidt and Luis Martinez had the best opportunities for CC as they got in behind the Gustie defense but were unable to beat Gustavus goalie Braden Schmid. Schmid a refex save on Martines who tried to poke home a ball that was served over the Gustie back line on a dead ball.

The Cobbers continued their determined play at the start of the second half. The teams traded chances for the first 30 minutes. Concordia had two chances to equalize with both coming from the right wing.

Junior Dami Adegunle had the first quality chance for CC as he broke free from 60 yards out and raced down the wing in the 72nd minute of play. He cut inside at the top of the penalty area and his uncontested shot beat Schmid but rolled inches wide of the left post.

The second quality opportunity came two minutes later when midfielder Alex Van Bemmelen received the ball deep on the left wing and drove a cross along the top of the six-yard box. Schmidt sped past his defender and had the ball skip up to his chest. He tried to chest the ball to his foot and past the goalie but his chance just missed the right post.

Gustavus sealed the game a little over four minutes later when they countered on the Cobber defense and placed home a one-time finish off of a cross.

Concordia was outshot 9-4 in total shots for the game and 6-2 in shots on goal. That is in sharp contrast to last season against the Gusties when CC was outshot 20-5.

Cobber goalie Ben Glogoza made four saves including a spectacular full out diving stop of a shot that was labeled for the top right corner. Schmid made a pair of saves in earning his seventh win of the year.

Concordia's next chance for their first win will come on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m. when they travel to Northfield to take on St. Olaf.