Nelson Breaks Record In 3-0 Win Over Wildcats

FARGO, N.D. (10/17/12)-- On a day that featured driving wind, rain and cold, Concordia goalie Ali Nelson was all sunshine and warm temperatures as she broke the school record for career shutouts in the Cobbers' 3-0 win over St. Catherine.

Nelson's 37^th overall career shutout came in a game that was won on a gift-wrapped goal in the first minute of play and then sealed by a pair of Gina Weiss goals in the 17^th and 78^th minutes of play. All-American Sarah Rounds put her stamp on the game as she was credited with an assist on each one of the CC scores.

"It was nice to get an early goal and then not have any letdown," commented Weiss. "I was happy to see us play at a high level the entire game."

The win is the 11^th overall of the season for Concordia. The Cobbers are now 11-3-1 on the year. More importantly it moves them one step closer to their fourth MIAC regular-season championship. CC is now 7-1-0 in league play and two games ahead of any other team in the conference with three games to play.      

The game against St. Catherine, which was originally scheduled to be played at Concordia but was moved to Fargo Shanley HS because of persistent rain and unplayable field conditions, was played with a 15-25mph wind blowing from side-to-side and in a slight downpour. The Cobbers took advantage of the wet and windy conditions in the first minute when Rounds took a shot from the top of the penalty area. The Wildcat goalie misplayed the ball and dropped it onto the foot of Marta Prosinski who notched her third goal of the season.

The teams settled into the weather for the remainder of the half with the only exception coming from Weiss' first goal of the game at 16:44. Rounds threaded the St. Catherine defense with a penetrating pass from the top of the penalty area that found Weiss' foot. Weiss, with her back to goal and standing six yards out, turned and fired a low shot that found the back of the net.

Rounds would set up the final goal of the game when she sent a looping ball over the top of the Wildcat defense. Weiss ran on to the ball and then played it with her head past the SCU goalie who was rushing forward to make a play before Weiss could get there. The goal at 77:41 was Weiss' sixth of the season and sealed the game for the Cobbers.

The only drama left in the game was whether Nelson could post the shutout and break the school record of 36 career shutouts set by Britt Reiersgord from 2005-08. Nelson wound up not having to make a save in the game to earn the record but had to stop several crossing attempts and would-be breakaway through balls.

"The defensive unit has really been playing well lately," said head coach Dan Weiler. "The five (four defenders and Nelson) are very tight and able to stop threats before they become dangerous."

"Ali (Nelson) is the best goalie I have ever played with, or have seen at this level," finished Weiss. "It is nice knowing that she is our last line of defense."

Concordia finished the game with a 12-1 edge in total shots and a 6-0 advantage in shots on goal.

The Cobbers will now travel to Northfield to take on St. Olaf on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 3:30 p.m.