Worn Down By A Three-Time National Champion

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/06/14)—No.18-ranked Concordia learned a valuable lesson in their 4-0 loss to No.6-ranked Wheaton (Ill.) on Saturday. The Cobbers were taught that in order to compete at the top national level it takes a full 90 minutes of concentration. CC played the three-time national champion even for the first 45 minutes but then gave up three goals in a span of nine minutes in the second half and lost by four.

The loss is the first of the season for Concordia who falls to 2-1. Wheaton remains unbeaten in 2014 and ups their overall record to 4-0.

The Cobbers held an edge over the Thunder in the opening minutes of the game and then settled into a back-and-forth battle for the remainder of the first period. Each team had one shot on goal in the first half. Neither chance was dangerous as the defenses dominated the game.    

The first half was played in the middle of the field with the team winning possession in the middle third getting the opportunity to attack on offense. Wheaton was able to wear down the Cobber midfield toward the end of the first period but the CC defense kept the Thunder offense from getting any free chances within 20 yards of goal.

The game turned in the blink of an eye in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Wheaton came out in the final period with a decided effort to put more pressure on the Concordia back line by serving crosses towards the top of the box. The first two goals by the Thunder came when CC wasn't able to deal with the 50-50 ball in the box. Both miscues allowed Wheaton forwards to run on to the ball and push home the goal from inside 10 yards out. The final goal of the decisive trio was hammered home with a top-flight finish at the edge of the penalty area.

Wheaton would add one more goal in the 76th minute to push the final total to 4-0. The final score line wasn't a true indication of the even nature of the game. Thunder coach Pete Felske commented after the game that they like to wear down teams in the second half of play and knew that they were going to have to battle for a full 90 minutes against Concordia.

In the end the Thunder outshot Concordia 9-3. Cobber keeper Elizabeth Bitzan made five saves while Wheaton split the goalie duties. Kelsey Graham started, made one save and earned the win. Abby Fuster played the final 10 minutes and came away with a pair of stops.

Concordia will finish off the annual Cobber Invite when they host regional rival St. Scholastica on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m.