Back-To-Back Blankings

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/09/16)---Concordia went 40 games without recording a shutout before they ended the streak on Sunday by blanking Buena Vista. It only took the Cobbers five days to record their next clean sheet as they scored a goal in each half and downed regional opponent Wis.-Superior 2-0.

"You have a lot of guys working a lot harder this year," commented senior captain Sage Thornbrugh. "It simple, really simple, guys sticking to fundamentals and staying sharp."

The hard work and attentional to fundamentals has helped Concordia win its second straight game and the Cobbers have only allowed a single goal in 285 minutes played this season.  Their season goals against average of 0.32 is in sharp contrast to a year ago when they finished the year with a 2.43 GAA.   

Concordia is now 2-1 on the season marking the first time since 2012 they have been over .500 after three games of the season. It is also the first two-game win streak CC has enjoyed since the 2013 season.

The new-look Cobbers played 19 players against the Yellowjackets and feature several players sliding into different spots on the field to shore up the attack because of injuries.

Thornbrugh, who has played forward and midfield this season, was sent to the backline midway through the first half and responded with leadership and perseverance.

"It's been interesting - it's been fun," said Thornbrugh about the switch to defense. "I like to learn new things. I've got good people teaching me and I think I did ok."

Thornbrugh and the rest of the Cobber defense did better than ok as they blanked Superior for the full 90 minutes. When the defense wasn't holding the Yellowjacket offense in check, senior goalie Ben Glogoza was coming up with key stops. Glogoza was put to the test on a pair of point-blank shots in the second half and each time he responded with cat-like quickness to make the save.

Offensively the Cobbers were able to win possession of the ball and then quickly get into attack. The first goal came in the 31st minute of play when freshman Sam Gess took the ball off of a Superior defender 35 yards out from goal. He was able to push the ball forward to junior Spencer Lancaster who took two touches and then let loose with a dipping hard-driven shot from 22 yards out that went over the top of the Yellowjacket goalie and tucked under the crossbar.

The opening goal at 30:30 was Lancaster's first of the year and fourth career goal. Gess earned his first collegiate point of the play.

Concordia survived a heated Yellowjacket attack at the start of the second half and then doubled the lead on a long ball played through to forward Roland Oyou. Oyou got behind the Superior defense and fired a shot on goal. The subsequent rebound was batted around before it kicked out to senior Matthew Fulks who was trailing the play. Fulks teed up a one-time shot from 20 yards out and his driven ball powered through the fingertips of the keeper and hit the back of the net.

Fulks' insurance goal at 55:49 was his first of the year and seventh of his career.

Concordia then survived a flurry of action around the goal in the final 10 minutes of play.

Superior held a 16-11 edge in total shots and a 10-7 edge in shots on goal.

Oyou had a team-high three shots while Oyou and Lancaster both had a team-high two shots on goal.

Glogoza made 10 stops to pick up his first collegiate shutout.

TWICE AS NICE
The two shutouts on the season for the Cobbers is the most they have had in a single season since 2013. CC had five shutouts in 2012 while the program record for shutouts in a season is 10 set back in 2001.   

WHAT'S NEXT
Concordia will stay at home when they host Simpson on Sunday, Sept. 11 at noon. The Cobbers lost to Simpson 2-1 last season in Indianola, Iowa.