Season-Long Recipe Puts Cobbers On Playoff Doorstep

DULUTH, Minn. (10/25/23)---Concordia moved one step closer to securing an MIAC playoff spot as they used their season-long recipe for success to blank St. Scholastica 1-0.

The Cobbers didn't allow the Saints any quality chances inside the penalty area and got a goal from Hannah Mukhtar in the 51st minute of play to earn their fifth league victory.

The 1-goal win gives Concordia three points in the MIAC standings, which moves them into fifth place in the conference standings. The Top 6 teams in the league make the playoffs, so the Cobbers need only one point in their final game of the regular season to secure a spot in the conference tournament.

Concordia has now posted six shutouts on the year, has won all five league games by one goal and is is now 7-5-3 in all games.

The Cobbers controlled play throughout the first half, registering a 10-4 advantage in total shots and not allowing the Saints to have a shot on goal in the first 45 minutes of play.

The game winner would originate from the left corner of the field. Concordia served the ball to the top of the penalty area where Chloe Sollom 1-time a bouncing pass to Mukhtar, who was 12 yards out from goal just outside the left post. Mukhtar settled the ball with her leg and waited for it to bounce before hammering a laser into the left side of the net.

The strike at 50:18 was Mukhtar's first of the season and proved to be the game-winning goal. Sollom picked up her team-leading fourth assist of the year.

St. Scholastica would have three shots on goal in the final 40 minutes of play, but they all came from outside the penalty area, where Cobber goalie Kaitlin Petrich was able to make the save.

Concordia finished with a 19-10 edge in total shots and a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal.

Sollom and Emma Sheflo both had a team-high five shots in the game. Sheflo led CC with four shots on frame, while Mukhtar was second with two total shots and two on net.

Petrich made three saves to earn her second shutout and second win of the season. She also dropped her GAA to 0.71 on the year.

UP NEXT: Concordia will look to secure a playoff spot when they host St. Olaf on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 3:30 p.m.