Good Fortune Puts Cobbers Atop MIAC

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/26/12)—Sometimes the difference between winning and losing, of making the playoffs and staying home for the winter is a bad bounce or a lucky break. Concordia used a lucky break in the 36^th minute against league –leading St. Thomas and came away with a 1-0 win in Moorhead.

The victory pulls the Cobbers even with the Tommies in the league standings. Both teams are now 3-1 in league play after four conference games. Concordia ends their one-game losing skid and ups their overall record to 5-2-1 on the season. UST is now 4-4-0 in all games.

The good break for Concordia came when midfielder Jamie St. Germain played a ball to forward Gina Weiss 35 yards out from the St. Thomas goal on the right side of the field.  Weiss then headed the ball back towards the middle of the field to try and pass to an on rushing teammate. A Tommie defender read the play and went to head the ball out of danger but her errant header went right into the side of the net after catching the goalie completely off guard.

The own goal at 35:53 capped a period of play where Concordia held an offensive advantage over the Tommies. The Cobbers and St. Thomas both had chances in the opening 45 minutes of play but there were no real "golden" opportunities to score. CC outshot UST 7-6 in total shots in the first period.

Concordia was able to settle into the middle of the field in the second half and denied St. Thomas from getting open looks at the goal from inside 20 yards. Both teams had one quality chance in the second half. St. Thomas had a shot from the right side of the penalty area get turned around the post by Cobber keeper Ali Nelson who had to dive to her right to make the save. Concordia's quality chance came when senior All-American forward Sarah Rounds was played in behind the St. Thomas defense on the left side of the field. Unfortunately her breakaway attempt slid just by the right post.

In the end Concordia outshot St. Thomas 11-9 in total shots and 8-4 in shots on goal. The Tommies held a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.

Nelson stopped all four shots she faced to earn her fourth shutout of the season. She now has 33career shutouts and is three shy of tying the school's all-time shutout mark. Tommie goalie Tori Shepherd made eight saves in the losing effort.

Concordia will not hit the road for five straight away games. The Cobbers will start their extended road trip on Saturday, Sept. 29 when they play at St. Mary's at 1 p.m.