Defense Passes Opening Exam

ST. PAUL, Minn. (9/01/15)—Concordia conceded a goal with less than seven minutes to play in regulation and lost 1-0 in the season opener against Pacific Lutheran in a game played in St. Paul.

The Cobber defense was put to their first test without All-American Libby Fransdal and responded by putting the clamps on the Lute offense for over 83 minutes of play. The game-winning goal came from a cross on the right side of the field which found an open PLU player just in front of goal. The Lutes forward then slotted the ball into the far left side of the goal past CC keeper Elizabeth Bitzan.

Concordia's back line was put under pressure all game long but responded with a terrific effort. It marked the first time in four years that the Cobbers were without Fransdal who graduated in the spring. Center backs Sadie Hayes and Katie Gillette consistently stepped up into the play and cut off passes in the middle of the field before PLU could get a dangerous opportunity around the CC goal.

The Cobbers' attack was slowed by the graduation of central midfield players Laura and Marta Prosinski. Concordia was able to create chances on a few occasions and finished with three total shots and two shots on goal.     

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
A Quality Keeper
Bitzan made the biggest save of the game with just over 12 minutes to play. As the Cobber defense tired, the Lutes found a clear chance just in front of the goal but were denied by Bitzan who made a full out diving save to keep the game tied at 0-0.       

STAT STUFF
Bitzan finished with seven saves in the game and now has made 167 saves in her three-plus years for the Cobbers. Concordia had three total shots in the game from three different players.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Concordia has not allowed more than one goal for eight consecutive games in a streak that dates back to Oct. 15 of last season. The loss marked only the second time since 2007 that Concordia has dropped a season opener.      

QUOTABLE
"Liz (goalie Elizabeth Bitzan) did a great job of keeping us in the game. We are trying to fill some big holes and the defenders played really well in the first real game."  - Head Coach Kevin Roos on the play of the defense.

WHAT'S NEXT
Concordia will head to Duluth to play a pair of games in the annual St. Scholastica Invitational. The Cobbers will play host St. Scholastica on Friday and then have a full day off rest before matching up against Wis.-Whitewater on Sunday.