Super Sadie Secures Second Place

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. (11/01/14)—Sadie Hayes couldn't have picked a more opportune time to score her first collegiate goal. The junior defender headed home the game-winner in the first overtime to give the Cobbers a 2-1 victory against St. Benedict.

The victory pushes Concordia into second place in the final regular-season standings in the MIAC. The Cobbers finish league play at 26 points with an 8-1-2 record. The win is especially big since the top 2 teams earn a bye in the conference tournament quarterfinals and then get to host a semifinal game the day after the league quarterfinals are played.

It is the 11th consecutive top 3 regular-season league finish for Concordia. That is the longest streak of any school in the MIAC. CC also wins at least eight conference games for the seventh time in the past 11 seasons.

The win also continues the streak of overtime success for Concordia in 2014. The Cobbers have played in seven overtime games this year and are 5-0-2 in those contests. Of those seven OT games, six have come on Saturday.

The Cobbers never trailed in the game against the Blazers. Concordia and St. Benedict played through a scoreless first half. Both teams had five overall shots in the first 45 minutes of play with Concordia holding a 4-2 edge in shots on goal.

The game changed in the second minute of play in the second half. Sophomore forward Emily Wendorff took possession of the ball just outside the Blazer penalty area. She dribbled the ball across the top of the box and let fire a low shot that clanked off the left post. The ball caromed right towards Concordia leading scorer Elizabeth Robinson. Robinson made sure the chance wouldn't go a-begging as she pounded a one-time shot into the back of the net.

Robinson's goal at 46:19 was her team-leading seventh score of the year. She now has 27 in her career and 20 in the past two seasons combined. The assist for Wendorff was her fourth of the year which ties Erika Grinde for the team lead.

Concordia then went into a defensive mode as they tried to protect the one-goal lead. The Blazers pushed forward into attack and tried to come up with the equalizer. Their effort was rewarded in the 74th minute when they tied the game.

The Cobbers upped their offense in the final minutes and it was reflected on the score sheet. CC had 12 overall shots in the second half and seven on frame.

Neither team was able to score in the first seven minutes of overtime which set the stage for Hayes' late-period heroics on her birthday. She went forward on a corner kick. Fellow central defender Libby Fransdal served the ball into the goal area where Hayes ran onto it and headed home the second-place clinching tally at the 97:44 mark.

Concordia outshot the Blazers 19-14 for the game and 12-7 in shots on goal. Wendorff led all players with five total shots and three on goal.

CC goalie Elizabeth Bitzan made six saves to earn her league-leading 13th win of the season.  

The Cobbers will now host the winner of the quarterfinal game between the No.3-seed Carleton and No.6-seeded Bethel. The semifinal contest will be on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. Unlike regular-season games, there will be an admission charge. Admission to the conference playoff game will be $7 for adult and $3 for any student (5 years old and younger are free). There is no senior discount. MIAC Passes will be honored. No other passes are to be accepted.