Grit And Determination Lead To Classic Comeback

MOORHEAD, Minn. (10/08/14)—Sooner or later it was bound to happen. Grit and determination coupled with some good bounces was going to equal a positive result. That's just what happened in Concordia's improbable come-for-behind 2-2 double overtime tie with regionally-ranked St. Thomas.

All season long the Cobbers have stood toe-to-toe with the top competition in the region and have battled through an entire 90 minutes only to see a "career" goal or a wayward bounce determine the outcome. On Wednesday, Concordia took matters into its own hands as they deleted luck from the equation and replaced it with hard work and a determination to prove they belonged.

"We showed some real heart and character today," commented head coach Ben Schneweis. "I was especially proud of how we never stopped attacking even when they scored in the final five minutes of play. To gain a lst-minute equalizer against a quality team like that shows how far this team has come."

In the end the Cobbers used a pair of Robert Fordyce close-range sharp-angle tallies to rally from a pair of one-goal deficits to gain a tie with the Tommies. Fordyce calmly notched his first two collegiate goals to end Concordia's season-long losing skid.

The game didn't start out like it would be an end to the 10-game losing streak. St. Thomas went ahead 1-0 in the eighth minute of play. Concordia lost a head ball in the middle of the field and UST forward Matt Bouche was able to latch on to the second ball and drive at the CC defense. Bouche then made a move to his left and buried a shot in the left side netting from 20 yards out.

It would take Concordia a good 15 minutes to receive their wake-up call and once they started to pressure the Tommie attackers, the game turned into a back-and-forth affair.

The Cobbers would have several chances in the first half and the opening 45 minutes would end with St. Thomas holding a 7-6 edge in total shots. The best opportunity for CC came from a cross from the right wing that found Fordyce all alone in front of goal. Unfortunately his header would go just wide of the frame.

Concordia's fortunes turned in the second half when they pushed players forward and tried to gain the equalizer. The first game-tying goal would come in the 70th minute of play. The Cobbers gained a throw-in deep on the left wing. Sophomore midfielder Sage Thornbrugh's long toss bounced off a pair of players and landed at the feet of Fordyce standing on the left corner of the six-yard box. Fordyce then sent a low shot into the far corner of the net to tie the game at the 69:08 mark.

The contest would stay tied until the final five-minute flurry. St. Thomas had a throw-in on the right wing and the ball got cleared out to the top of the Cobber penalty area. One of the Tommie attackers fired a shot on the ground that went through the wall of players and caught a CC defender off guard. His clearing attempt went straight to the foot of Tommie defender Ryan Mooney who buried the gift chance from four yards out.

What happened next was akin to the Grinch's heart growing "three sizes that day". Concordia back in time to grab the conviction of the Cobber teams of the middle 1990's and went straight at St. Thomas. The result was a goal that started in the middle of the field on one side, was switched across the Cobber backline, played down the wing and then sent through the back of the St. Thomas defense where Fordyce blasted his second goal into the far right side of the net.

The resulting celebration was a 60-yard parade of outright joy that shook off a month-long coat of frustration.

The game-tying goal was started when Thornbrugh collected the ball on the right side of the field. He then played the ball back to the Cobber left back Adam Kessler. Kessler's first touch was played with surgeon-like precision and freed himself on the left wing. He then sent a pass to left wing Matthew Fulks who settled the ball and then sent a pass that carved through the UST backline and set Fordyce up on a platter. Fordyce left no doubt by settling the ball on his first touch and then striking a well-placed shot with his next touch.

The teams would battle through a pair of overtime periods and post several quality chances. The best opportunity of the overtime sessions came in the second OT when Tommie attacker Shae Bottum unleashed a dipping shot from 25 yards out that struck the underside of the crossbar, bounced straight down and then was played clear by a CC defender.

In the end the teams combined to post 32 total shots and 19 shots on goal. The Tommies had a 19-13 advantage in total shots and a 13-6 margin in shots on goal.

Concordia goalie Ben Glogoza played at the top of his game for a full 110 minutes and made 11 stops.

The Cobbers will look to keep their new-found momentum going when they host Hamline on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. as part of the annual Homecoming festivities.