ST. PAUL, Minn. – It took almost 87 minutes, but the Concordia-St. Paul soccer team (9-3-3, 6-3-3 NSIC) scored late in the game to defeat MSU Moorhead (3-11, 3-9 NSIC) 1-0 on Friday night. The win moves the Golden Bears into a tie for fourth place in the NSIC, tied at 21 points with St. Cloud State. The top eight teams make the NSIC playoff tournament, with the top four teams getting to host a first round game.
 
The Golden Bears are now 16-5-2 against the Dragons and have won the last 10 games in a row. This was the second year in a row that the game ended with a 1-0 decision, however last year's contest was decided in overtime.
 
The Concordia defense continued their record-breaking year, posting their ninth shutout of the year. They have now allowed only 10 goals through 15 games on the year.
 
The Bears held a solid 18-3 advantage throughout the game, only allowing one shot on goal while taking seven of their own. The team also held a 5-0 edge in corner kicks. Despite all these opportunities, the Dragons' defense held strong until the 87^th minute, when senior Jordan Rowan-Stafford found the back of the net on a set piece from just outside the box, hitting a rocket into the top right corner of the net.
 
The goal was Rowan-Stafford's sixth goal of the year, which sets a new career-high for the Oakdale native. In the Concordia record book, she moves up a spot in career game-winning goals, and is now tied for the fourth-most in CSP history with six.
 
Joining Rowan-Stafford as an offensive threat was freshman Jena Berkland who fired a team-high four shots on the night. Teammates Jade Weller, Mary Kaiser, Brooke Salo, and Leah Johnson also joined in, each taking two shots apiece.
 
Concordia was aggressive in the first half, outshooting the Dragons 8-1 throughout the period, while also holding a 3-0 edge in shots on goal. Their efforts were not rewarded, however, and the game remained tied at the half.
 
The Dragons got off the first shot of the second half in the 48^th minute, which was saved by Concordia goalie Emily Nelson. From there, the Bears took six shots before letting MSUM have another chance in the 71^st minute, which went wide. The CSP offense took it up a notch after that, not allowing another Dragon shot and holding the possession on their opponent's half of the field for much of the rest of the game. Their pressure paid off, being awarded a free kick right outside the box, which Rowan-Stafford put away to give Concordia the 1-0 win.
 
Nelson earned the win in net and is now 4-1-1 on the season. This game was the fifth time this season that the Brooklyn Park native has shutout another team, and she now holds the Concordia record for most career shutouts. Nelson is also third in most career wins at CSP.
 
To continue their home weekend, the Golden Bears will next face Northern State at 1 p.m. on Sunday. This is one of their final two home games of the season, with their final home game being played next Sunday against Augustana.