Hickerson & Defense Give Cobbers Best Start Since '09

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/21/14)—A pair of goals by Rochelle Hickerson and an increasingly stingy defense helped Concordia beat regional rival Wis.-Eau Claire 2-0 and propel the Cobbers to their best 8-game in five years.

Hickerson scored on a breakaway in each half and the Concordia defense earned its fourth shutout in the past five games to up the Cobbers overall record to 7-1-0 on the season. That is the best start after eight games since the 2009 season when Concordia put up a perfect 8-0 mark.

When asked about the strength of the defense this year, junior goalkeeper Elizabeth Bitzan answered, "the communication." She went on to add, "we all work together and we're good friends so that helps a lot."

The friendly four backline of Libby Fransdal, Erika Grinde, Sadie Hayes and Carly Mickelson limited the Blugolds to only three total shots and one shot on goal. The quartet, combined with the confident play of Bitzan, has posted six shutouts on the season. CC has only conceded a goal in two of their eight games this year and has a goals against average of 0.61.

Concordia's offense has also found a groove nearing the midpoint of the regular season. The Cobbers scored a pair of goals against Eau Claire and have put up five straight multiple goal games. During that stretch Concordia has outscored its opponents 13-1 and has outshot their foes 56-18.

Hickerson's two goals vs. Wis.-Eau Claire

Hickerson has found her scoring touch in her senior season. She finished off a breakaway in the fifth minute of play and then duplicated the feat at the 76:04 mark to provide the margin of victory. Hickerson now has a team-leading four goals for the season. She didn't have a single goal in all of 2013 and had a total of three in her previous three seasons in maroon and gold.

Hickerson's brace would be all that Concordia would need as the defense clamped down on the Eau Claire offense entering the final 25 yards of the field.

Concordia wound up outshooting the Blugolds 9-3 in total shots and 6-1 in shots on goal.

Bitzan finished with the one lone save but stayed busy cutting off through balls and crossing attempts. She now has six shutout on the season and owns a 0.62 goals against average. She had eight blankings in all of last season and finished her season with a 0.98 GAA.

Bitzan attributes her heightened play in 2014 to confidence, "I was not very confident last year and I tried to work on that a lot."     

The Cobbers will head back to MIAC play when they face St. Olaf in Northfield on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m.

Elizabeth Bitzan postgame interview: