Ali Nelson - Primetime Playoff Performer
Feature story by Larry Scott
For today's college student-athletes, the never-ending quest for a trip to postseason play is not unlike the search for the Holy Grail. It's a dream few realize, but all cherish, and for Concordia College senior Ali Nelson it's become a tradition on to itself.
For sure, the postseason is the favorite time of the year for Nelson. She is the all-time career leader at Concordia for post-season appearances, and Nelson would be quick to caution she's not done chasing playoff dreams.
An accomplished two-sport athlete, Nelson starred in goal for the Cobber women's soccer team last fall that qualified for the NCAA playoffs for a fourth straight year and advanced to the Division III Sweet Sixteen. She is currently playing defense for the women's hockey team and is eyeing, of course, another trip to the playoffs.
Creating a suitable encore for her last postseason experience will be a difficult With Nelson in goal for the soccer team, the Cobbers finished 17-4-2 overall in 2012, captured both the MIAC regular season and playoff titles and won a pair of games in the NCAA Tournament.
She was a named a third team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and joined teammate Sarah Rounds, a second team pick, on the honor squad. It marked the first time Concordia had multiple All-American selections.
Nelson was an All-MIAC and NSCAA All-Region selection for four consecutive seasons. She set Cobber career records for games played (86), wins (58), shutouts (40) and lowest career goals against average (0.72).
She admits she was concerned coming into her final year.
"I was real nervous at the beginning of the year, and I didn't want my senior season to be the year we didn't get to nationals," Nelson said. "We did some great things and swept the MIAC which is something we hadn't done before. Becoming an All-American was a huge surprise; there are only three spots in Division III for goalies, so I wasn't expecting it at all."
It was a special season for sure, but it was time for Nelson to move on and shift her focus to hockey. It can be a difficult adjustment, but having someone else with you who is going through the same transition can make it easier.
"I think it's more mental than anything, but I'm used to it to from high school. This year I missed about six games from coming in late, and that's a little tough mentally. But (soccer teammate) Libby Fransdall did the same thing and that makes its easier."
Nelson admits a lot of challenges await the Cobbers this winter, but her sizeable hopes remain. "We made it to nationals last year for the first time, and that was cool. We have as good team this year and our goal is to get back to nationals and get past the first round."
Brett Bruininks, the women's hockey coach at Concordia, expects Nelson to exit in style as a senior. "There is a reason Ali is as decorated as she is," Bruininks said. "She is a tremendous athlete and competitor. On the ice, there are very few in the women's game that has the vision Ali does. Very few players are capable le of making some of the plays she makes—the passes, the shots, etc. They're hard to even describe at times."
"She is invaluable with our special teams as well with because of her experience. I am fortunate to have been part of her career at Concordia, and she definitely will be missed."
Nelson is stationed at defense for the Cobbers, but brings some special energy to the Concordia power play as well.
"I'm a pretty physical player, and I have a big shot," Nelson said. "I've been pretty successful as the shooter on the power play."
Nelson admits the college game is different.
"It's certainly faster, the girls are all coming in from behind the best players on their teams, and that's a challenge, but the biggest adjustment is the speed of the game."
A three-sport letterwinner at Maple Grove High School, Nelson is often asked what her favorite sport is.
"It's hard to compare, the teams are so different," said Nelson. "If you would have asked me in high school I would have said hockey, but I've met some of my best friends playing soccer here. It's something very special."
Achieving the proper balance between academics and athletics can be difficult, but Nelson finds she often does her best work in the classroom during her soccer and hockey seasons. "I struggled a little bit my freshman year but I switched to education. I usually do better first semester, and when I have all the free time I probably waste more time."
When Nelson began seriously considering her college options sports was certainly a major talking point. "I looked at Wisconsin-Superior and Hamline, but when I visited Concordia I fell in love with it," said Nelson.
Nelson is well aware her college career will expire all too soon, and it will be time to move on. She knows that won't be easy. "I'll miss the people. I've met some great people here, best friends. I couldn't have chosen a better school.
An Elementary Education major, Nelson envisions a teaching career, coupled with some coaching. "I want to coach. In the spring I'm the goalie coach at Fargo North High School, and I really enjoy that."
Concordia, 6-5-3 overall and 5-2-1 in the MIAC, will play a critical series with No.2-ranked, and unbeaten, Gustavus on Friday and Saturday.