Another 1-Goal, Late-Game Loss

MOORHEAD, Minn. (10/23/21)---It was another goal in the final 15 minutes of play that sent Concordia to a 3-2 defeat against St. Olaf on Saturday.

The Cobbers grabbed a 2-1 lead in the 53rd minute of play, but then the Oles responded with the game-tying goal at the 56:01 mark and added the game winner in the 83rd minute to get the 1-goal victory.

The 3-2 loss marks the fifth time in the last six games that Concordia has lost by a single goal – and all five game winners have come in the final 15 minutes of play.

Concordia (3-12-0, 0-9-0 MIAC) opened the scoring in the 27th minute of play when freshman Kylie Osborn took advantage of a St. Olaf defensive mistake in the final 25 yards from goal. Osborn took possession on the turnover after CC had countered from their own end of the field. She was able to control the ball behind the Ole defense and blast a shot into the upper right portion of the net.

The goal at 26:59 was Osborn's first collegiate tally, and she became the seventh CC player to score a goal on the year.  

Neither team was able to get quality chances from inside the penalty area for the next 15 minutes of the game. One of the turning points in the game came in the final four minutes of the half. St, Olaf was able to tie the game on a shot from outside the penalty area.

The Cobbers retook a 1-goal lead in the eighth minute of the second half. Sophia Robinson won the ball just inside the Ole defensive half. She was able to clear herself of the defender, and then send a ball to the right wing for Amber Weibye. Weibye sent a cross into the penalty area. The ball bounced between two players and junior Samantha Holmberg was able to raise her foot to tap the ball just before the Ole goalie claimed possession.

Holmberg's goal was her team-leading sixth of the season. She now has six goals and 13 total points on the year which are a single-season high for Holmberg.

The lead was short-lived as St. Olaf scored 3:10 later. They would then add the game winner at 82:24.

St. Olaf (5-9-1, 3-6-0 MIAC) held a 22-6 advantage in total shots, with most of their attempts coming from outside the penalty area.

Cobber goalie Bre Nelson made 13 saves in the game. It is the third time this season Nelson has posted a double-digit save total.                          

UP NEXT: Concordia will finish off the 2021 season when they play at Bethel on Wednesday, Oct. 27 and then host Hamline on Saturday, Oct. 30.