Cobbers Claim Season Opener In Iowa

DUBUQUE, Iowa. (9/02/23)----Concordia got a goal in each half to post a 2-1 win at Dubuque in the season opener.

The Cobbers have now won four of the past five season openers.

Concordia had plenty of spotlight performances in a game that was moved to a morning start time due to the extreme heat in the Midwest. CC got the game-winning goal from a newcomer, while a pair of veterans provided the spark on offense and defense.

Junior goalie Jensen Waltz came through with the biggest play of the game when he stopped a penalty kick in the 77th minute which helped maintain the Cobbers' 2-1 lead.

Waltz finished the contest with eight saves as he recorded his first collegiate victory. The eight saves is also a career high for Waltz.

Sophomore Gannon Brooks gave the Cobbers a 1-0 lead in the first half when he scored on a free kick from 25 yards out. He lofted a shot over the wall and inside the left post. The strike at the 30-minute mark was his fourth career goal.

Dubuque would come up with the game-tying goal at 11:41 of the second half, before junior transfer Leo Dunor posted the game winner at 68:32.

The Cobber defense was able to lock down the Spartans after Waltz' PK stop. The Cobbers only allowed one shot on goal in the final 12-minutes of play.

Dubuque held a 9-6 edge in shots on goal, while Concordia enjoyed a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Dunor led all players with six total shots and freshman Owen Gallo had three three shots in his first collegiate game.

UP NEXT: Concordia will stay in Dubuque and take on Loras on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 10 a.m.