2008 Woodie Awards
Women stun unbeaten Cobbers
Steiner, Schmidt score to drop Concordia for first time since 2002
Barrett Kennedy
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Sports
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The Oles entered Wednesday's home match looking for their first win in four matches, but squared off against a team that has finished either first or second in the MIAC standings every year since 2004.
But, as the ancient sports saying goes, "that's why they play the game."
Sophomore goalkeeper Beth Huggins and the Oles' defensive corps were tested early and often in the opening 45 minutes of play, but they were able to thwart the Cobbers' attacks. Huggins made five saves in the first half, and St. Olaf went into the break deadlocked at 0-0 with a team that has generated over 15 shots per game this season.
The women's offense sprang to life early in the second half as Ellie Steiner '12 scored on a corner kick from Deanne Schmidt '12 just three minutes into the second half. Steiner has netted six goals thus far in her first collegiate season, and has a team-leading 14 points.
The Oles did not fall back into a defensive shell after gaining the one-goal lead and instead generated six shots in the second half to Concordia's five.
Schmidt added an insurance goal, her second in the past three matches, in the 73rd minute to give St. Olaf's defense some breathing room. Catie Christoffel '12 added the assist on the Oles' second goal.
Wednesday's shutout victory marked the first time St. Olaf has defeated Concordia College since the 2002 season.
The win boosted the Oles into seventh place in the MIAC standings with six conference matches remaining on the schedule. The Cobbers slipped into a second-place tie with Carleton as their overall record dipped to 7-1-3.
Wednesday's offensive production in the second half snapped the Oles' scoring drought. Saturday the women lost 1-0 in a physical match at St. Benedict's. Each team committed seven fouls each in the first half alone.
Samantha Sickbert '11 made six solid saves in net for the Oles, but the one second-half shot that found its way into the net decided the outcome of the match.Steiner had two of the Oles' three shots on net while defender Christina Mills '10 and forwards K.C. Beed '11 and Christoffel also fired shots during the match.
The women will look to build on Wednesday's momentum Saturday when they travel to St. Paul for a MIAC contest against St. Catherine. The Wildcats are currently one position below the Oles in the MIAC standings and have an identical 5-4-1 overall record. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
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