Record-Setting 9-Bagel Opener

LAKEVILLE, Minn (2/1/20) --- Concordia was hungry going into their season opener against Crown. And what would the main entree be on Saturday afternoon in Lakeville? Bagels. 

The Cobbers defeated the Storm 9-0, winning every singles match by a score of 6-0,6-0 and all three doubles matches 8-0. 

"It was a great way to start the season," second year head coach Zach Zitur said. "We were able to battle and had some great results." 

The double-bagel extravaganza was highlighted by the freshmen pair of Cole Gillespie (Thief River Falls, Minn.) and Eli Simonson (Parkers Prairie, Minn.), who tallied their first collegiate wins. 

Gillespie handled the first match nerves with a convincing 6-0, 6-0 win at No.5 singles over Logan Strand of Crown. Simonson added to the dominating afternoon with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No.6 singles over Matt Leathers. 

"It was great to see the freshman duo of Eli and Cole blossom in their first college matches," senior Carter Steffes said. 

SENIOR SEASON: The senior quad of Erik Porter, Jared Saue, Carter Steffes, and David Youngs rolled to 6-0,6-0 victories in their final season opener. 

"It was great to get back into the swing of things with a strong win," Saue said. "Really cool to have all four of us (seniors) play well but also to see the younger guys step up."

 The four also teamed up to secure victories at No.1 and No.2 doubles. Saue and Porter continued their successful 2019 campaign with a win at the top doubles tandem while Youngs and Steffes teamed together for the first time to get the win at the second spot. Youngs was playing in his first match since his sophomore season.   

 "Even though we (Steffes and Youngs) played on the same team for six years in high school, this was our first-time playing doubles together," Steffes said.

FIRST TRIP TO THE BAGEL SHOP: The Cobbers outscored Crown 96-0 in total games won. The rare shutout is a first in program history. 

UP NEXT: The maroon and gold stay in the Twin Cities for a Super Bowl Sunday MIAC opener against Carleton at noon. The Knights are ranked in the Top 40 the country and are led by junior Leo Vithoontien, who concluded his sophomore season with a runner-up finish at the NCAA singles tournament.

Concordia-Moorhead 9, Crown 0
Feb 01, 2020 at Lakeville, Minn. (Lakeville Fitness)

Singles competition
1. Jared Saue (CC) def. Andrew Moorse (CROWN) 6-0, 6-0
2. Erik Porter (CC) def. Joe Duffy (CROWN) 6-0, 6-0
3. David Youngs (CC) def. Mike Brewster (CROWN) 6-0, 6-0
4. Carter Steffes (CC) def. Jake Sporleder (CROWN) 6-0, 6-0
5. Cole Gillespie (CC) def. Logan Strand (CROWN) 6-0, 6-0
6. Eli Simonson (CC) def. Matt Leathers (CROWN) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Jared Saue/Erik Porter (CC) def. Andrew Moorse/Joe Duffy (CROWN) 8-0
2. David Youngs/Carter Steffes (CC) def. Mike Brewster/Jake Sporleder (CROWN) 8-0
3. Grant Storm/Jeremy Nelson (CC) def. Logan Strand/Matt Leathers (CROWN) 8-0