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Moorhead, Minn.-- The 2005 season-opener for the Concordia women's soccer team was scripted to pick up where the 2004 story left off and act as a kick start for the new year. Instead it turned into a tough lesson-learned as the University of Mary scored goals on their only two shots in the first half and went on to blank the Cobbers 4-0.

Despite controlling the play and having the better of the scoring chances, Concordia found themselves down by a pair of goals after the Lady Marauders scored on a corner kick at 9:23 and then again at 42:01 on a lofting shot from Becky Beall. In between, the Cobbers held almost of the possession and did everything but put the ball in the net.

After the first 45 minutes of the game, Concordia had outshot U-Mary 8-2 and had held the ball in the Marauder end for most of the period.

The second half turned out to be more of the same as Concordia controlled the play, couldn't finish off their chances and the Lady Marauders continued to be opportunistic in the offensive third of the field.

The deciding point of the game might very well have been the first 4:30 of the final the final period of play. Determined to fight their way back into the game, Concordia had a golden chance fall just wide of the net when Kelly Ping raced onto a cross and had an open lane to the net. The Lady Marauders then brought the ball down the field and were able to coax a corner kick. The Cobbers conceded the corner kick and then watched as Gina Globe headed home a corner kick and put the shocked Cobbers down by a score of 3-0.

Concordia tried to recover from their three-goal hole but could never find the open space to beat U-Mary goalie Brannigan Coyle. And when they were able to get off a quality shot, Coyle was equal to the task as she turned aside seven shots to pick up her first collegiate shutout.

The final goal of the game came from a free kick from 25 yards out. Benedict threaded a low shot past the Cobber wall and into the side of the net before Concordia goaltender Britt Reiersgord was able to draw a bead on the well-placed shot.

Concordia held a 19-8 advantage in shots and had a 6-4 edge in corners. The Cobbers were held scoreless for the second straight game and only the third time in the past 21 games.

Concordia will look to rebound on Saturday, September 3 when they play Simpson College (Iowa) at St. John's at noon. The Cobbers will then return to host the Concordia Invitational on September 9-11.