Checking More Items Off The List
Concordia has checked off all but one item on the list to becoming a solid college soccer team.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (10/13/15)—Concordia has checked off all but one item on the list to becoming a solid college soccer team. That except one missing item is the ability to pull out key conference victories in the second half of play.
The Cobbers gave up a goal in the final 11 minutes of play at Augsburg and lost 2-1. It marked the second straight game the Cobbers went to halftime tied with a top 5 team in the MIAC, had chances to score and take control of the game but then failed to capitalize and lost down the stretch.
The game also marked the third consecutive contest Concordia has put together a top-quality performance that created chances and bottled up the opponent's attack on defense.
Augsburg controlled the first 15 minutes of the game and was rewarded for their attack when they notched the go-ahead goal at 25:25.
Concordia was quick to respond and equalized just 1:30 later. The ability to take a punch and then fire back is another mark on the check list for the Cobbers.
Concordia earned the game-tying strike on a dead ball situation. Sophomore Joe Thomas lofted the service off the restart to the back left side of the Auggie defense. Freshman Spencer Lancaster then ran on to the ball and slammed it into the net from six yards out. The goal was Lancaster's second in the past three games. For Thomas it was his first assist of the season.
The goal also gave life to Concordia's offensive attack which had laid dormant in the first half of the opening period.
The Cobbers had several chances in the final 15 minutes of the half but went to the break tied at 1-1.
The second half continued to show how far Concordia has come as they consistently pushed the attack to the Auggies and were even in shots until the final 12 minutes of play.
The game-winning goal came from the wing after a foul on Concordia. An Augsburg attacker was able to loft a cross to the far right side of the net where a teammate ran on to the service and came up with a diving header to push the ball into the lower right corner of the goal.
Concordia had one golden opportunity in the final five minutes of play but Jacob Schmidt's volley from the top of the penalty area splattered off the crossbar and ricocheted out of harm's way.
The Cobbers were outshot 12-5 in shots on goal for the game. Schmidt had a team-high four total shots.
Ben Glogoza made 10 saves and now leads the MIAC in saves in conference games with 38.
WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will look to put all the pieces of the puzzle together when they face league-leading St. John's on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m.