Vandegrift Named MIAC Player of the Week

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/16/15)—"To the victors go the spoils."  The quote attributed to Andrew Jackson sums up Concordia's recent 10-game unbeaten streak. After sweeping St. Mary's to secure its fifth straight MIAC playoff berth, senior Kelsey Vandegrift was spoiled with the MIAC Player of the Week award.

The conference weekly award is the first of Vandegrift's career and she becomes the first Concordia player to earn player of the week honors this season.  

Vandegrift scored four of the team's five goals over the weekend as she helped the Cobbers extend its unbeaten streak to a program-record 10 games. Vandegrift scored the first two goals on Friday to dig Concordia out of a two-goal first-period hole in a 3-2 victory and then added both goals in the Cobbers' 2-0 victory on Saturday.

The two victories over the Cardinals pushes Concordia's conference record to 9-4-3 on the season. CC is now in sole possession of third place in the league standings. The Cobbers haven't lost in MIAC play since Dec. 5 when they fell to 1-4-0 in the conference and were near the basement of the standings.

Vandegrift has been a key part in the 10-game turnaround. She has scored at least one goal in six straight games and has four game-winning goals during that stretch. Vandegrift now has 10 goals and three assists in league play. She currently leads the MIAC in goals scored in conference games.

Overall, Vandegrift has 11 goals and six assists on the season. All three stat totals are career highs. Vandegrift's previous best season came in her freshman year when she had four goals and six assists for 10 points. She had a total of 14 goals and 10 assists in her previous three seasons heading into this year.

Concordia will finish off the regular season by playing at St. Catherine for a two-game series on Friday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21. The Cobbers will secure the No.3 seed in the upcoming playoffs if they can get one point from the two games.