Cobbers Roll Over Luther In Season Opener
WAVERLY, IOWA (9/04/11)—No.25-ranked Concordia posted a win and a tie in their opening weekend of the 2011 season. The Cobbers rolled over Luther 3-1 on Friday and then rallied from a 2-0 deficit against Wartburg on Sunday to come away with a 2-2 double overtime tie.
The story of the weekend for the Cobbers was the play of the newest group of fabulous freshmen. Of the five goals scored over the three days, three were scored by first-year players and all three assists that were handed out were credited to freshmen.
On Friday against Luther in Decorah, Iowa, the Cobbers trailed 1-0 after the first 16 minutes of play but then roared back to score three unanswered goals to win 3-1. Junior Sarah Rounds scored the first two goals for CC. The eventual game-winning goal was assisted by freshmen Laura Prosinski. Prosinski would finish off the scoring in the 85th minute when she collected a cross from fellow first-year player Rochelle Hickerson on the right side of the penalty area, took a pair of touches towards the goal and then shelfed the ball into the top of the net over the Norse goalkeeper.
CC struggled with the first 25 minutes of the opener but then shook off the first-game jitters and started to control the ball through the middle of the field and dominate the possession. After being outshot 9-7 in the first half, the Cobbers held a 10-3 advantage for the final 45 minutes. For the game CC outshot Luther 17-12. Concordia goalie Haley Haddock made three saves in picking up her first collegiate victory.
Against Wartburg on Sunday, Concordia dug themselves a bigger whole in the first period, rallied with multiple goals but this time had to settle for a tie. The Cobbers fell behind 1-0 on the very first shot of the game just 1:05 into the first half. CC continued to sleepwalk through the opening minutes of play and then fell into a 2-0 hole in the eighth minute.
The Cobber rally started 20 minutes into the period as the Knights' defense allowed the CC offense big areas of room in the midfield to turn and attack the net. Finding their stride in the middle of the park, Concordia got to within one when Marta Prosinski, the twin sister of Laura, recorded her first collegiate goal. Prosinski was in the right place at the right time as she pounded home a rebound after the Warburg keeper was unable to control the initial shot.
The game stayed at 2-1 until the final seven minutes of regulation. Once again a pair of fabulous freshmen stepped to the forefront and rescued the CC offense. Laura Prosinski was able to break free down the wing and deliver a crossing pass at the top of the 6-yard box. Freshman Liz Robinson ran onto the ball in full stride and left her feet to head the ball past the goalie. Her first collegiate goal at 84:50 brought the game level for the first time since the second minute of play.
For the final 5:10 of regulation and the two 15-minute overtime periods neither team was able to come up with a game winner. The best chance of the extra sessions came from the foot of one of the Wartburg forwards who hammered a shot from outside the penalty area that appeared to have a chance to dip under the crossbar. CC keeper Ali Nelson came up with her best save of the day as she scrambled backward and reached up to deflect the ball over the bar.
The two teams were deadlocked in shots on goal. Both squads had 21 total shots with the Knights holding a 12-7 edge in shots on goal.
Concordia will return to Moorhead to host the annual Cobber Invite next weekend. CC will play UW-La Crosse on Friday, Sept 9 at 3 p.m. and then square off against regional rival St. Scholastica on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.
