Title Chance Gone But Playoff Berth Earned

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/02/13)—Concordia's MIAC regular-season championship hopes faded on Saturday but their playoff aspirations were kept alive. The Cobbers lost 2-0 to St. Benedict but still earned a spot in the conference playoffs.

Concordia gave up a goal in each half against the Blazers and lost the chance to capture its second consecutive regular-season title. The Cobbers gained a spot in the MIAC playoffs thanks to a 0-0 double overtime tie between Augsburg and St. Thomas. CC will enter the league tournament as the No.4 seed.

The loss drops the Cobbers' overall record to 11-6-1. Concordia finished the conference season with a 7-3-1 record. St. Ben's wins their second MIAC title in the last three seasons with a 9-2-0 record and moves to 14-2-1 overall.

The game was determined by the play in the midfield. Concordia was able to control the middle part of the field and create chances early but then the Blazers picked up their intensity and earned a goal in the 30^th minute. The Cobbers had the best chance before the goal when CC wing Gina Weiss got free on goal but her two point-blank chances were stopped by CSB keeper Heather Kaluzniak.

Concordia came out in the second half and picked up the intensity in the midfield which led to more chances in the St. Ben's end of play. The Cobbers nearly equalized in the 76^th minute when Rochelle Hickerson broke free on the left wing and got around the CSB defense. She turned the corner at the top of the penalty area and then hammered a low shot towards the middle of the net. Kaluzniak came up with the initial save and the rebound rolled out in front of the goal. Unfortunately for Concordia the rebound attempt never materialized as a goalmouth scramble was finished off with a clearance by a St. Ben's defender.

St. Ben's added a second goal in the 87^th minute of play after Concordia had pushed players into attack to get a goal. The Blazers were able to counter on CC and a crossing attempt was tapped in from right in front of goal.

Concordia outshot the Blazers 12-8 in total shots and 8-5 in shots on goal. CSB held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

Cobber goalie Elizabeth Bitzan, who sang a beautiful national anthem before the game, stopped three shots while Kaluzniak made eight saves.

The same two teams will now meet in the MIAC semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. at St. John's University on Haws Field. The Cobbers will be making their 11^th straight appearance in the MIAC postseason – the longest streak of any school in the conference.