Carleton Game Recap - Sept. 22, 2007

Gameday Scoreboard:

Team	1	2	Final
	1	1	2
	1	0	1

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Opponent's Website: Carleton Men's Soccer

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Gameday Program:

Complete Gameday Program vs. Carleton (pdf)

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Gameday Game Recap:

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/22/07)-- In the best men's soccer game played at the Jake Christiansen Athletic Complex in over three year, Concordia took an early lead over regionally-ranked Carleton, but then allowed a goal with 16:15 left in the first half and an own goal in the second period and lost 2-1.

The Cobbers continue to raise their game as they compete with the top teams in the MIAC. In their first three conference losses of the season, CC lost by a single goal to Augsburg - an MIAC playoff team from last season. They then dropped a two-goal game to 16th-ranked Gustavus and were then edged by Carleton, who is currently ranked sixth in the latest NSCAA West Region poll.

Concordia took control of the game early and, for the first time in the last three games, did not conceded an early-game goal. The Cobbers then did that one better by getting the opening score of the game at the 13:49 mark. Senior midfielder Matt Klein was able to head the ball into the upper left part of the net off of a cross from a corner kick delivered by Kyle Quimby. For Klein it was his first goal of the season.

The CC lead would last just under 15 minutes. As Carleton started to find their game legs, they started to create legitimate scoring chances. They were able to break through on the scoreboard on a play that was created out of nothing. Receiving a throw-in eight yards off of the end line on the left side of the Cobber penalty area, MIAC Player of the Week Bobby Phillips turned toward the end line and was then pinned down by a pair of CC defenders. Somehow Phillips was able to free himself and then lift a shot into the top half of the net past Cobber keeper Kirby Johnson.

After the teams went into halftime tied at 1-1 and deadlocked in shots at 6-6, Carleton was able to generate more offensive pressure in the second period. They were rewarded for their efforts inside of 15 minutes after the restart. Following a cross and then a goalmouth scramble, a Concordia defender tried to slide the ball away from danger but inadvertently directed into the open goal.

The Cobbers then needed 15 minutes to recover from the game-deciding blow. During that stretch, Carleton had three corner kicks, took five shots and had a Phillips' shot go off the post and another shot by Wes Elfman hit the crossbar.

CC finally righted the ship and was able to pin the Kights into their own end by controlling the middle of the field. First, Quimby found himself on the side of the Carleton defense with a wide open shot from 15 yards out. His offering went just wide. The next golden chance came off the head of defender Chad Morlock. Morlock entered the box as the ball was played out wide, after a cross that sailed over the head of the Carleton keeper, Morlock's header towards a wide open goal sailed just inches wide.

That would be the final chance for CC as the Knights were able to cling to the one-goal lead and come away with their sixth straight victory.

For the game, Carleton held a slight 16-13 edge in shots and an 8-3 margin in shots on goal. The Knights also had seven corner kicks to the Cobbers' four. Johnson made six saves in goal for CC and Carleton goalie Pete Semmer finished the contest with two saves.

The loss drops Concordia's overall record to 1-6-1. They are now 0-3 in conference play. The surprising Knights remain on top of the MIAC standings. The go to 3-0 in the league and 7-1-0 overall.

Concordia will travel to Iowa to play a non-conference game against Central on Monday at 2 p.m. CC will return to conference action when they host St. Mary's on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.