Middendorf's surging Falcons defeat St. Norbert 2-1

MEQUON, Wis.- St. Norbert, now 4-1-1, came into this evening's contest undefeated and regionally-ranked but Concordia Wisconsin looked like the stronger side throughout as the Falcons recorded a 2-1 win.

CUW dominated the first half statistically, outshooting the Green Knights 7-0 but as so often is the case, the scoreboard still read 0-0 at the break and it remained anyone's match.

Senior Lauren Straehler (Pewaukee, Wis.) finally broke the ice on a direct free kick with 18 minutes remaining to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead midway through the second half.

St. Norbert's first real opportunity came with about nine minutes remaining in the contest and the visitors cashed in after a CUW defender was knocked down in the box, allowing for an open shot that created a 1-1 tie.

Undaunted, Concordia (5-1-0) resumed their game-long attack and the Falcons were finally rewarded with the WIN in the game's 85th minute when freshman Carley Pfannerstill's (Grafton, Wis.) bullet crossing pass forced an "own goal" as a Green Knight defender actually knocked the ball past her startled goal keeper while trying to clear it.

"This was a great defensive effort," praised Middendorf.  "Hirssig, Apazeller, and Karsten were solid in the back for the entire match."