Score Line Doesn't Tell Tale In First Season Loss

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/05/21)---The score line shows that Concordia lost 3-0 to perennial power Loras on Sunday. What the score line won't show is that the game was a lot closer than that.

The up-and-coming Cobbers outshot the Duhawks for the game, but it was a pair of early goals put up by Loras that proved to be too big of a hole for Concordia to recover from.

The loss is the first of the year for the Cobbers while the Duhawks, who return all 11 starters, remain unbeaten at 2-0-1.

The opening goal of the game came at the 11:53 mark when Loras was awarded a free kick, 45 yards from the Cobbers. The ball was served into the CC penalty area and one of the Duhawk attackers was able to run behind Concordia defense and head the ball home from seven yards out.

The second goal of the game proved to be the costliest, as it forced the Cobbers to try and chase a 2-goal deficit against an experienced team. Loras won the ball in the middle of the field and proceeded to play a lofted pass over the top of the Cobber defense. The same Duhakw attacker who scored the opener, raced behind the defense and slid the ball past Cobber goalie Erick Torres who was coming out to stop the breakaway.

The second tally came at 15:02 – only 3:09 after the first goal.

Concordia responded by outshooting Loras 4-1 over the next 15 minutes of play. CC was unable to get the all-important "next goal" before the break and trailed 2-0 at halftime.

The Cobbers best stretch of play came directly after the break. Concordia had four shots and four corner kicks in the first 2:30 of the second period but still couldn't crack the Loras net.    
  
The game followed a more back-and-forth theme for the next 20 minutes before the Duhawks ice the contest with the third goal at the 66:17 mark.

Concordia held a 12-11 edge in total shots and an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks for the game. Loras came away with a 6-5 lead in shots on goal.

Junior Telvin Vah, who was held scoreless for the first time in four games, led all players with four shots. Albara Mutleq had three for CC.

Torres made his second straight start in goal for the Cobbers and made three saves.        
        
UP NEXT: Concordia will host the annual Cobber Invite tournament this weekend. CC will face 1st-year program Wis.-Eau Claire on Friday, Sept. 10 at 3:30 p.m. and then square off against Neb. Wesleyan on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1:30 p.m.