A Point Is A Point
NORTHFIELD, Minn. (9/24/11)—It wasn't the prettiest way to stay unbeaten but in the end Concordia came away with a key conference road point and kept their overall record unblemished as they tied defending regular-season champion Carleton 0-0 in overtime on Saturday.
The match-up was a re-match of last year's conference tournament championship game and once again produced a double overtime tie. Unlike last year's playoff contest where the Cobbers prevailed in a shootout, this time the game was finished as a tie and both teams earned a single point in the conference standings. The game marked the fifth straight game that the two teams have played into overtime with four of those ending in a draw.
The tie pushes Concordia's overall record to 4-0-3. They have now come away with scoreless draws in two of their last three games. CC also starts the MIAC season with a unique 1-0-2 mark. Carleton remains at the .500 mark in both overall and conference matches. They are 3-3-1 in all games and 1-1-1 in league play.
Both teams had quality chances in the game with the Knights coming away with the more dangerous of the opportunities. Cobber junior keeper Ali Nelson played a huge role in the scoreless tie as she came up with 11 saves in the game and stopped several shots from attackers that were unmarked around the penalty area.
Concordia's main scoring threats came from Sarah Rounds who tried to get behind the Knight defense using space on the wing. Rounds came away with four shots in the game. CC was led by freshman forward Elizabeth Robinson who was able to get on the end of several of Rounds' crosses and had a game-high eight shots.
The scoresheet shows that Carleton held a 25-14 advantage in overall shots but several of those were made from the wings as potential cross/shots. The shots-on-goal total was more indicative of the play with the Knights holding an 11-9 edge.
Nelson made all 11 stops to record her third straight shutout and fourth of the season. Carleton keeper Beth Ashinsky had nine saves in the full 110 minutes of play.
Concordia will stay on the road and take on St. Thomas in St. Paul on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m.
