If And Buts Turn Into Candy And Nuts

WINONA, Minn. (10/04/14)—It was destined to be "one of those games" where No.19-ranked Concordia did everything but put the ball in the net. Fortunately for the Cobbers, a penalty kick goal with under seven minutes to play in regulation and then a laser shot with under three minutes left in the last overtime period turned the "ifs and buts" into candy and nuts.

Concordia senior Elizabeth Robinson converted a penalty kick at 83:39 and then hammered a shot into the upper right corner with 2:04 left in the second overtime session to give the Cobbers a 2-1 double overtime win at St. Mary's.

The win keeps Concordia unbeaten in its last eight games. The Cobbers also continue their unbeaten streak in league play. CC is now 9-1-1 in all games and 4-0-1 in the MIAC. The Cardinals drop to 3-6-1 overall and 0-4-1 in the conference.

St. Mary's bottled up the Cobbers offense for the majority of the game. Concordia held a decided edge in total shots and shots on goal but couldn't get any quality chances behind the SMU defense.

The Cardinals put themselves in prime position for the upset when they scored on a penalty kick with just 4-seconds left in the first half. The shot was only the second of the half for St. Mary's but gave them a 1-0 lead, and all the momentum, heading into the second half.

The Cobbers put up 11 shots in the second period but weren't able to score until the final minutes of regulation. That's when Robinson was run over in the penalty area as the ball was bouncing in front of the Cardinal goal. Robinson shook off the foul and then calmly stepped up and tied the contest with 6:21 left on the clock.

Concordia would have the better of the play in both overtime periods and outshot St. Mary's 5-0 in the 17:56 of extra soccer.

It looked like the Cobbers would play to their second straight Saturday 1-1 double overtime tie on the road until senior captain Libby Fransdal won possession of the ball on the right wing. She then drove a diagonal ball to the back post at the top of the Cardinal penalty area. Robinson collected the ball and took a touch to get the ball out of her feet. She then fired home a laser into the top right corner to earn the "candy and Nuts" victory.

The two goals push Robinson's total to a team-leading six on the year. She now has 12 points for the season. Fransdal collects her third assist of the season which ties her for the team lead in helpers.

Concordia held a 20-5 edge in total shots and a 12-4 advantage in shots on goal. Robinson and Emily Wendorff led all players with four total shots and three shots on goal each.

CC goalie Elizabeth Bitzan made three saves to pick up the win.

Concordia will return home to host St. Thomas on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m.