A Pretty Good Fall

11-16-92

A Pretty Good Fall

It was a pretty good fall for Cobber sports.

Each of Concordia's teams showed improvement and, importantly, carried themselves proudly as representatives of the College.

The women's golf team won a second consecutive MIAC title, and five titles in seven events, behind all-MIAC performers Lisa Hanson, Julie Jamison, Kari Walrath, and Holly Rogers. Next spring they'll make another run at a Division III national title. They were second last spring. Darren Sheldon and Charlie Ehlers improved to earn all-MIAC honors in men's golf.

A young Cobber volleyball team made steady progress through the year and won three of four matches at the season-ending MIAC tournament to finish 5th in the league. Lone senior Laura Dahl was named by all-MIAC league coaches.

The women's soccer team took a big step forward behind all-MIAC junior Lydia Kabaka and high- scoring frosh Krysta Morgenthaler. New men's soccer coach Jim Cella brought his infectious brand of enthusiasm and a clear sense of upward mobility to that improving program.

Cross country's Jason Trichler continued to shine in his senior season, earning a repeat trip to Nationals and repeat honors as an all- MIAC runner. Senior Carissa Blair saw four years of training pay off with a gratifying all-MIAC performance in women's cross country.

And then there was football.

Coming off a 3-6 season in 1991, a new group of seniors stepped up to their role as leaders with a clear sense of purpose and a huge measure of togetherness. That formula proved successful from the season-opening win over Moorhead State through their we're-as-good-as- anybody tie with St. John's in the Dome finale.

They came within two plays and 5 points of an unbeaten season, finishing 7-2-1. The defense remembers the long TD run they gave up in the 10-7 loss at St. Thomas. The offense remembers the blocked field goal in the final seconds of the 26-24 loss at Carleton. But this team gave us enough inspired play to relegate those two plays to the backgrounds of our memories.

We remember quarterback Dan Sward's touchdown run to open the second half at Moorhead St. and set the tone for a 13-12 Crystal Bowl win. And we saw emerge that day a solid defense that used speed to compensate for being small.

We remember Frank Haughn gaining 80 yards running and 25 on receptions for three TDs in week 2's 41-31 romp over Gustavus. And we saw the team's best athlete, free safety Dan Holgate, record his third interception of the year. It was to be his last. He tore up a knee in practice the following week.

In week 3 the Cobbers got their first win at Hamline in ages, a 10-0 defensive battle in which Steve Trelstad scored on a 65-yard punt return and, moving into Holgate's spot, got his second INT of the year. This was also the unofficial coming-out party for Mike Jousma, who ran for 134 yards behind Dave Meyer's line.

Week 4 saw a huge homecoming crowd enjoy a 33-7 Cobber thumping of a dangerous Bethel team.

That win made the Cobbers 4-0, already one win more than the year before, and gave opponents a real look at one of the league's most explosive receivers. Nick Reese caught 8 passes, several of the circus variety, for 126 yards and one touchdown. That game also put captain Andy Becker into the team's internal interception contest. He picked off his first of four on the year, returning it for a 34-yd TD.

After leading 7-0 at the half in week 5's game against erratic St. Thomas, the Cobbers stumbled, losing 10-7 after a nothing-went- right second half. Jousma had his third straight 100-yard rushing game and Matt Thoreson led a now-mature defensive front four with three sacks. But their fate was still in Cobber hands. Win the rest and win a title.

The 55-12 yawner over a winless Macalester team in week 6 gave injuries a chance to heal, Jousma another 154 yards, and next year's stars a chance to play. A winning season was now assured, but that goal had long been forgotten.

Week 7's game at undefeated Carleton was inspired and thrilling and heartbreaking. After dominating the first 27 minutes of play behind a spectacular Jousma-Haughn rushing show, the Cobbers suffered a fateful three minutes in which their 21-7 lead turned into a 21-20 margin. The game came down to that field-goal try that stayed in the backfield. A 26-24 loss.

Week 8 was filled with questions of how the team would respond on the return trip to Northfield, this time to face St. Olaf. A Tommie upset of the Johnnies had kept dim title hopes alive. The Cobber ground game resumed its now-relentless march, Jousma getting 170 and Haughn 157. The team's inspiring utility defensive back, Kelly Harder, got a killer interception and the Cobs had a 45-21 win.

A 62-0 thrashing of a not-that-bad Augsburg team in week 9 showcased Mike Empting's considerable talents at rover back, the third Cobber linebacker spot, responsible for just about everything imaginable. It also gave coach Jim Christopherson his 170th career win, made Jousma the school's first 1000-yard rusher since 1981, and set up the Metrodome finale against St. John's as a battle between the league's two best teams. Carleton was fading.

The 18-18 tie with St. John's last Friday was a fitting ending to a great game. The Johnnies came in nervous about the only MIAC team they truly (and rightly) respected. They blinked first. Harder recovered a fumble. Haughn gained the first of his 148 yards, despite a badly sprained ankle, to put the Cobs up early.

Sward scrambled his way to 121 yards passing.

Becker and Trelstad broke up almost everything thrown their way by a Johnnie team unable to run against the Hargraves, Knutson, Haugo and Thoreson front line. Mark Schoeb, the senior fullback who's played in Haughn's shadow, got the final TD. And Sward threw the tying 2-point conversion to the guy in the league with the surest hands, tight end Joe Fering.

On Saturday some of the seniors, their sense of togetherness stronger than ever, were still wondering how to evaluate it all, how they should feel about the way they went out, what with the tie and not winning a title and all.

That's easy. They should feel extremely proud.

And so should the entire college.

These pages are maintained by Jerry Pyle pyle@cord.edu. These articles are copyrighted © and may not be published or reproduced without the express permission of Jerry Pyle.

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