Rebounding With A Shutout

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/07/14)—No.18-ranked Concordia shook off a tough second-half on Saturday and rolled to a 2-0 win over regional rival St. Scholastica on Sunday in the final game of the Cobber Invite. The Cobbers scored a goal in each half to remain unbeaten against the Saints for seventh consecutive games.

Concordia is now 3-1 on the year while the Saints remain winless in their first four games – all of which were against teams ranked in the top 20 of the nation.  

Neither team was able to generate many shots in the game. The teams combined for only seven total shots with each defense using the "bend but don't break mentality". Concordia held the possession advantage while St. Scholastica got most of their chances off the counterattack.

Concordia controlled the early part of the game and was able to push their midfielders into the offensive attack for most of the first 45 minutes of play. The Cobbers got on the board in the 13th minute when senior Elizabeth Robinson ran on to the end of a 45-yard free kick from defender Libby Fransdal. Robinson was able to beat both the defense and the Saints goal to the ball and deposited in the net for her first goal of the season.

The Cobbers were unable to come up with a second goal going with the wind and settled for a one-goal advantage at halftime.

St. Scholastica pushed another player forward into attack in the second half to try and pin Concordia into their own end. The tactic worked throughout the second 45 minutes and led to several close calls in the Cobber penalty area. The best chance glanced off the crossbar and caromed away from the front of the goal.

The Cobbers put the game away at the 80:51 mark when Rochelle Hickerson outmuscled a Saints defender for the ball at the top of the penalty area and calmly went free towards goal and chipped the ball over the onrushing Scholastica goalie. Emily Wendorff and Kayla Dostal were credited with the assists on Hickerson's team-leading second goal of the year.

Concordia wound up outshooting the Saints 5-2 in overall shots and 2-1 in shots on goal. CC goalie Elizabeth Bitzan made one save to record her third shutout of the year.

Concordia had four players earn All-Tournament honors. Fransdal, Hickerson and twin midfielders Laura and Marta Prosinski all were named to the Cobber Invite All-Tournament Team.

The Cobbers will now have a week to prepare for their third home game of the season. CC will host Lawrence (Wis.) on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 1:30 p.m.

2014 Cobber Invite Women's All-Tournament Team
- Alexi Bopray – D – St. Scholastica
- Libby Fransdal – D – Concordia
- Sarah Frey – F - Wheaton
- Sarah Guidera – M - Wheaton
- Leah Hamm – F – St. Scholastica
- Rochelle Hickerson – F – Concordia
- Laura Prosinski – M – Concordia
- Marta Prosinski – M - Concordia
- Anna Seabolt – M - Wheaton
- Alexa Sharkey – D - Wheaton
- Ally Witt – F Wheaton