Escaping The Bethel Trap

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (10/24/15)--- For the second straight season Concordia almost fell victim to the Bethel trap in Arden Hills. Last year the Cobbers were chasing an MIAC title and lost 2-0. On Saturday Concordia gave up a goal in 21st minute but then a pair of late goals helped CC earn a 2-1 win and stay in the thick of the MIAC playoff race.

The win pushes Concordia to 10-6 overall and 5-4 in the MIAC. The Cobbers are currently in a four-way tie for fourth place in the conference standings. CC has 15 points in the conference standings, and with two games remaining in the regular season, will likely need to win one more game to earn its 13th consecutive MIAC playoff berth.

The 10 overall wins marks the 13th straight season with a double-digit overall win total.

The Bethel trap appeared to be in full swing as the Cobbers weren't able to get anything to fall around the Royal penalty area in the first half despite holding the majority of the possession in the period. Concordia's troubles were compounded when Bethel scored on its very first shot of the game at 20:13.

The goal would be Bethel's only shot on net in the first 45 minutes of play.

On the other end of the field Concordia was never able to get behind the defense and create an open chance on goal. CC finished with four total shots in the period and only two were on frame.

The Cobbers' fortunes turned in the second half of play. CC was relentless in attacking the BU goal and was finally rewarded at the 68:59 mark when sophomore Alexandra Jones continued her hot scoring streak by firing a one-time shot from the top of the penalty area into the right side of the net.

It was Jones' third goal in the last four games. She is now tied for third on the team in goals scored after going almost a year-and-a-half without scoring a goal in college.

Concordia then pressed for the game-winning goal and junior sniper Emily Wendorff was more than happy to oblige. Wendorff scored her team-leading eighth goal of the year at 77:22 to put the Cobbers in the lead at Bethel for the first time since the 2012 season.

Wendorff has now scored a single goal in eight different games this season and Concordia is 7-1 when she scores. Wendorff now has 21 points for the year which is third most in the MIAC.

Abby Vogelsberg earned the assist on the game-winning goal. She now has two assists in the team's last four games. CC is now 4-0 when Vogelsberg gets an assist in a game.

Concordia was able to survive a few tense moment s in the final five minutes of play. Bethel had a pair of dead ball opportunities and a couple of near misses on crosses.

Each time the Royals came close, freshman goalie Maddy Reed was able to step up and thwart the chance. Her biggest play came when she aggressively tracked down a cross as a Bethel attacker was about to take a shot on goal.

Concordia outshot Bethel 11-9 in total shots and 6-3 in shots on goal. Wendorff had a game-high five shots. She has 53 for the season and is second in the MIAC in total shots.

Reed made two saves in her first collegiate start to earn her first collegiate victory.

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will host league-leading Gustavus on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 3:30 p.m. in the final regular-season home game of 2015. CC will then play at St. Catherine on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.