Second-Half Wake-Up Call Saves MIAC Opener

ST. PAUL, Minn. (9/16/15)—It took an early second-half goal by Hamline to wake up the Cobbers in the MIAC opener. Concordia arose to score two goals in a span of 7:21 and beat the Pipers 2-1.

After coasting through the first 45 minutes of play, the Cobbers received a glass of ice water to the face when Hamline scored at the 47:32 mark of the second half. Senior Morgan Holm then responded with the game-tying goal just 58-seconds later and Emily Wendorff added the game winner at 55:51.

The win is the second straight for the Cobbers and third in the past four games. Concordia is now 3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Pipers move to 1-4 in all games and 0-1 in the MIAC.

Holm's goal at 48:30 tested the eye sight of the assistant referee. Holm hammered a shot from the wing and then ball hit the crossbar before bouncing straight down and caroming just behind the goal line in the side of the net. The assistant referee signaled for the goal and the game was tied at 1-1 and suddenly the dormant CC offense awoke.

It was Holm's first goal of the season. The assists on the game-tying strike were credited to Erin Eidsness and Wendorff. For Eidsness it was her first collegiate assist.  

It took less than eight minutes for Concordia to get the game winner. Wendorff picked off a pass from the Hamline defense and made sure that there would be no questions on the goal as she fired the ball home from close range.

Wendorff's goal was unassisted and was her team-leading third tally of the year.

Concordia was outshot 13-6 in total shots and 10-6 in shots on goal. Cobber keeper Elizabeth Bitzan made nine saves to pick up her third win of the year.

STAT STUFF: The Cobbers have scored two goals in three of the past four games and all have helped CC to wins. Wendorff has a goal in all three of the Concordia wins this season. Bitzan now has 27 career wins in goal for CC.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS: Holm equaled her career-high season goal total. She has put up a single goal in each of her three previous seasons at Concordia.

QUOTABLE: "It wasn't pretty but it was a win and that's what counts in the MIAC." – Cobber head coach Kevin Roos on the conference opener    

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will host Macalester at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. The game will be a part of the annual Family Weekend celebration.