Weiss + Hickerson + Rounds = Winning Combination

ST. PAUL, Minn. (10/03/12)—The senior-junior-sophomore trio of Sarah Rounds, Gina Weiss and Rochelle Hickerson combined for both of Concordia's goals in their 2-1 win at Macalester on Wednesday.  The conference victory enables the Cobbers to stay on top of the MIAC standings with a 5-1 record.

It looked as if Concordia would breeze through the game when sophomore midfielder Rochelle Hickerson one-timed a volley from 12 yards out to give Concordia a 1-0 lead in only the eighth minute of play. Hickerson's second goal of the season came at 7:07 and capped an opening stretch of play where the Cobbers controlled the ball in the Scot's end of the field. Weiss and All-American Sarah Rounds were awarded the assists on the play as Rounds played Weiss through on the right wing and Weiss' cross found a wide open Hickerson.  

The game changed nine minutes later when Macalester equalized at the 16:19 mark. Hannah Walker touched in a cross from the left side of the penalty area to tie the game at 1-1.

Concordia had the better of play for the remainder of the game but was unable to come away with the go-ahead goal. The best chance came on a corner kick when Rounds headed a ball that caromed off the left goalpost, rolled along the goal line behind the goalie and was finally cleared by the Macalester defender who was standing inside the right goal post.

Weiss finally came away with the game-winner when she was given a clear shot from 10 yards out after Rounds drew the attention of the defense and laid the ball over to Weiss for the shot. Hickerson started the play in the midfield when she received the ball, turned her defender, dribbled down the left wing and then made a dicing pass between a pair of defenders that found Rounds.

Concordia had a 19-13 advantage in total shots for the game. Both teams had three shots on goal as the Cobbers attempts either hit the post or sailed wide.

CC goalie Ali Nelson made two saves to earn the win while Macalester split the goaltending duties between Ellen Palmquist and Rosie Glenn-Finer. Palmquist made one save in the first half and Glenn-Finer was not credited with a save in the second period.

Concordia will now play a pair of non-conference games in Illinois over the three-day weekend. The Cobbers will play at Augustana (Ill.) on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 3:30 p.m. and then play perennial national power Wheaton on Monday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.