Offense + Defense = 3 Straight

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/08/19)---The goals came early and often for Concordia in the final day of the Cobber Invite. CC was up 1-0 before the game was seven minutes old. They added another before the 13-minute mark, made it 3-0 in the 19th minute and then added a fourth before the clock struck the half hour mark.

In the end the Cobber offense exploded for five goals and blanked Nebraska Wesleyan 5-0 to complete an undefeated weekend and up their overall record to 3-0 on the year. The last time Concordia won three straight games to start the year was back in 2001 when they opened with four consecutive wins.

2019 has showcased both the Cobber new-look offense and defense in the first three games. Concordia has scored at least three goals in all three games and has only conceded one score in 270 minutes of play. CC is outscoring its opponents 12-1 for the year.

Sophomore Nate Weaver started the scoring when he connected on the first of his two goals on the day. Weaver was played clear of the Neb. Wesleyan defense on a passing combination from Telvin Vah and Sam Gess.

Senior Aronah Mukhtar doubled the lead at the 12:30 mark when he hammered home his own rebound from 15 yards out. He settled a cross from the right wing and was able to take an initial shot that was blocked by the NWU defense. The ball came right back to Mukhtar who left no doubt on his second chance as he buried the ball into the top part of the net. The goal was Mukhtar's second of the season and 17th of his Cobber career. He has scored at least two goals in all four seasons and is now 11th on the program's all-time goal scoring list.

Gess would push the lead to 3-0 when he recorded his third goal of the year. Weaver and Tyson Aberle were credited with the assists. Gess and Weaver linked up for two of the five goals vs. NWU and have now partnered to put up four goals on the year.

Weaver completed the 4-goal first half when he finished off his team-leading fourth strike of the year. Freshman Sondre Rygg earned his first collegiate point on the play.

Another first-year player would come away with a college first to put an end to the scoring spree. Casey Haldis was able to rise above the NWU defense on a dead-ball service from central defender Henry Schaefer. Schaefer struck an exquisite free kick from the midline and Haldis was able to head the ball into the net from the penalty spot.

Concordia's defense held the NWU offense without a quality chance the entire game and gave up only three total shots.

The Cobbers outshot the Prairie Wolves 14-3 in total shots and 9-2 in shots on goal. Four different CC players had two shots each to lead the attack.

Senior goalie Keith Sullivan made two saves to pick up his second win of the season.

UP NEXT: Concordia will have a week off before returning to the field when they host Buena Vista on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m.