Back-To-Back Goals Prove Costly

MITCHELL, S.D. (9/01/15)—Unfortunately the town that is home to the Corn Palace wasn't that inviting for the Cobbers in their season opener. Concordia gave up a pair of goals in a span of 3:45 and lost 2-1 to Dakota Wesleyan.

The teams went back-and-forth throughout the first half and into the first 25 minutes of the second period before the decisive goals starting in the 73rd minute of play. Dakota Wesleyan scored their first goal on a counterattack that found their forward with the ball at the top of the Concordia penalty area on the left side of the field. The DWU forward then cut the ball several times before getting free and then firing a shot in the far right side of the net.

The second goal came at 75:52 after Concordia conceded a free kick from 30 yards out. The ensuing shot hit the underside of the crossbar and then bounced straight down into the goal.

Concordia was quick to respond. The Cobbers got their lone goal of the game when defender Nick Koerbitz received the ball towards the end line on the left side of the Tiger penalty area. He then beat a defender and fired a left footed cross towards the middle of the goal. Senior mifielder Dami Adegunle was in the right spot at the right time and poked home the centering pass.

The Cobbers had a pair of chances in the final two minutes of play but were unable to come up with the equalizer.    
  
MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Turnovers Will Haunt
Dakota Wesleyan's first goal came after Concordia turned the ball over in the middle of the field. The Tigers capitalized on the miscue by making two passes and springing their forward on the left wing.        

STAT STUFF
Concordia outshot Dakota Wesleyan 12-11 for the game with each team having six shots on goal. Adegunle led all Cobber players with three shots and a pair on net.  

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The one-goal loss marked the sixth time in the last 10 games that Concordia has lost by two or fewer goals in a streak that dates back to the end of September last season. The Cobbers have allowed at least two goals in four straight games.

QUOTABLE
"We created chances throughout the entire game and played well offensively on a consistent basis. Unfortunately we allowed a couple of defensive miscues to determine the outcome of the game."  - Head Coach Ben Schneweis on the play of the Cobbers in the opener.

WHAT'S NEXT
Concordia will head south to play a pair of games in Iowa over the weekend. The Cobbers will play at Central on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and then turn around and travel to Indianola, Iowa to match up with Simpson on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.