Final Third Is Unkind In Loss At Aurora

AURORA, Ill. (10/21/13)—The final 25 yards on the soccer field proved to be the difference in Concordia's 3-0 loss at regionally-ranked Aurora on Monday. The Cobbers fizzled in the final third while the Spartans sparkled and scored three goals in the second half to earn the win.

The loss is the first in six games for the Cobbers and drops their overall record to 10-4-1 on the season. Aurora, who was ranked fifth in the most recent NSCAA Central Region poll, wins for the fourth straight game and is now 13-2-0 on the year.

The game featured two different attacking themes as Concordia controlled the ball in the midfield and tried to set up their offense by passing through the middle part of the field. Aurora was content to speed the ball through the middle third of the field and set up their offense in the final 25 yards.

The Cobbers had chances to set up scoring chances in the opening period of play but continually stopped short of their goal due to errant passes or a tough Spartan defense. Aurora would then get control of the ball and stick it on the CC backline in order to get chances. The Spartans wound up with a 7-1 edge in total shots in the scoreless first half.

The game continued on the same track as the first half for the first five minutes of the second half before Aurora broke free for a pair of goals just 3:28 apart. The game-winning goal came when the Spartans drove the ball down the left wing and then played a crossing pass to the far side of the Concordia penalty area. After several shots were blocked, the ball caromed to Nicole Wolf who drove home her 10^th goal of the year from six yards out at the 51:17 mark.

The Spartans doubled their lead at 54:45 when they once again drove the ball to the Cobber backline and then found an opening. Brittany Roydhouse made good on her third goal of the year and forced the Cobbers to try and chase a two-goal deficit for the final 35 minutes of the game.

Aurora would add a third goal in the 78^th minute as the Cobbers pushed more players into the offensive attack.

Concordia  wound up with a season-low five total shots in the game. The previous low was 12 in a season-opening loss against UC-Santa Cruz. It is the fewest total shots in a game for CC since the 2011 season when they had four in their 2-0 win at UW-Eau Claire.CC forward Elizabeth Robinson had two of the four Cobber shots in the game.

Cobber goalie Elizabeth Bitzan made nine saves in the loss against Aurora.

Concordia will now set their sights on the MIAC regular season title. The Cobbers have three games remaining in conference play and currently hold a one-point lead for first place in the league standings. CC will travel to Northfield to take on Carleton on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.