Wendorff Dials Long Distance In MIAC-Opening Win

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/16/14)—Emily Wendorff completed a pair of long-distance calls to help No.16-ranked Concordia beat St. Catherine 2-0 in the MIAC opener for both teams.

Wendorff's long-range tallies helped the Cobbers win their third straight game and improve to 5-1-0 on the season. All five of Concordia's victories on the year have been by shutout. The Wildcats drop their second straight 2-0 decision and are now 1-3-1 on the season.


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Wendorff, who has now scored three goals in the past two games, downplayed her recent hot scoring streak by saying, "I think we are passing really well and I am just getting the lucky opportunities."

Her first goal came in the 22nd minute and was the result of the Cobber midfield winning the ball after a goal kick. CC won the ball in the middle of the field and then senior midfielder Laura Prosinski played a pass to the feet of Wendorff who was standing 30 yards out from goal with a St. Catherine defender on her back. Wendorff was able to turn on her first touch and then curl a lofted shot that nestled in the upper right corner of the net.

"I tried to turn but couldn't get a full turn," commented Wendorff. "And so I tried to shoot as I was turning and I fell down while I shot. I was surprised it went in."

Emily Wendorff scores the first of her two goals vs. St. Catherine

Concordia was able to keep St. Catherine from generating any quality chances in the first 45 minutes of play and held the Wildcats to only one shot on goal.

Wendorff proved her first goal was no fluke by dropping in a shot from the left wing from 25 yards in the first five minutes of the second half. She "posted up" a Wildcat defender off of a Cobber throw-in and then took a touch and lofted a shot that dropped under the crossbar on the far right side of the net. CC defender Erika Grinde earned her second assist of the season from her throw-in to Wendorff.

Wendorff replayed the insurance goal by saying, "I got the ball from a throw-in and I was able to fully turn.  I was able to take my time and actually shoot it on net."

The two-goal lead was made safe by the Cobber defense who were able to play the ball out of danger from a pressing Wildcat attack. The Concordia central defense tandem of Libby Fransdal and Sadie Hayes never allowed the St. Catherine forwards to get in behind and limited their chances to outside the penalty area.

Cobber head coach Kevin Roos explained the recent success of the Concordia defense by saying, "the center backs have played together for two years in-a-row now and I think they are connecting really well now."

Roos went on to explain goalie Elizabeth Bitzan's contribution to the back line, "Liz (Elizabeth Bitzan) having a year under her belt is a lot more comfortable in the net as well."

Wendorff had a chance for the hat trick late in the game but a left-footed chance from inside 12 yards out just rolled wide of the right post.

"I didn't get a good shot on it," said Wendorff. "It hit my foot and I was like, that's a bad shot." 

Concordia outshot St. Catherine 8-2 in overall shots and 5-1 in shots on goal. Bitzan needed to make only one save to record her fifth shutout of the season.

The Cobber defense has held its opponents to only one shot on goal for three straight games. Concordia's opponents have only had a combined 10 shots on goal in the five CC wins in 2014.

Concordia will continue with conference play when they travel to St. Peter to take on Gustavus on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. The Cobbers will then return home to host regional rival Wis.-Eau Claire on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. 

Emily Wendorff post-game interview