Fast Finish On Senior Celebration Day

MOORHEAD, MINN. (4/11/21)---The start may have been slow but the crowd that showed up to the Cobber home opener was treated a fantastic fast finish. Concordia fell behind 2-0 but then scored with just over five minutes to play in regulation and nearly came away with a late game-tying goal.

The final scored read 2-1 in favor of St. Catherine, but the Cobbers' second-half play gave the fans plenty of opportunities to cheer on Senior Celebration Day.

The teams started slowly with the Wildcats having more possession and offensive half time in the opening half. St. Catherine got on the board in 31st minute when their front runner was played through into the back of the Cobber defense. She was able to control the ball and then pull it back to free herself from the CC defender. She then fired a shot into the lower left corner. The opening goal of the game at 30:32 would be the only score of the first half.

Concordia pushed more players into attack at the start of the second half and the adjustment paid off as the Cobbers were able to pin the Wildcats into their defensive half on numerous occasions.

St. Catherine went up 2-0 at the 66:47 mark. A shot from the left wing sailed over Cobber keeper Breanna Nelson and fell just under the crossbar.

The Cobbers continued to press for their first goal of the year and had several chances from just inside the penalty area.

They would be rewarded for their offensive surge in the 85th minute. Concordia was able to pick off a pass in the middle third of the field and play the ball forward. The CC attacker was then fouled 10 yards inside the half line.

The Cobbers pushed all their field players into the final 25 yards and had Nelson come forward and take the dead ball. She served the ball into an area about 25 yards out from goal. Sophomore Grace Lawlor was able to win the ball and 1-timed the ball towards the goal. The high-arching ball took one bounce at the 10-yard mark and then sailed over the top of the SCU goalie.

Concordia would have one more quality chance when Samantha Holmberg hammered a shot from 25 yards out on the right wing. Her line drive fooled the goalie who dove and had the ball carom off her stomach and trickle three yards out. Unfortunately for CC, the goalie was able to scramble and grab the rebound before a Cobber could claim the rebound.

The Wildcats held a 9-4 edge in total shots and an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. Both teams had three shots on goal in the second half.

The Cobbers had four different players with one shot in the game.

Nelson finished the day with six saves.

UP NEXT: Concordia will have a week to prepare for its next game. The Cobbers will host their second straight MIAC opponent when they face St. Mary's on Saturday, Apr. 17 at 3:30 p.m. The Cardinals are 1-1 on the year.      

RECAP SPONSOR: Today's recap sponsor is Bell Banks. Cobber athletics would like to thank Bell Banks for their continued support of Concordia student/athletes.