MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- The University of Northwestern Men's Soccer team played their second game of the season on Tuesday night. It was a contest against Augsburg which marked UNW's first road game of the season. The Auggies knocked off the Eagles 4-1.
The shots and scoring chances show a very evenly played first half between the two Twin Cities-based opponents. The Auggies had six shots in the first half to the Eagles' three. Each team had one save from their goalkeeper in the first half, and Augsburg only had one corner kick in the first 45 minutes while UNW didn't have one.
However, despite these nearly identical statistics, Augsburg had a 2-0 lead going into halftime. The Auggies snuck goals through in the 7
th and 27
th minutes.
The Eagles came out in the second half knowing that they had competed hard in the first half but still had a two goal deficit that they need to try and overcome. The home team extended their lead to 3-0 with a goal in the 66
th minute before UNW got a shot in the arm from their offense.
Joey McMillin (Hugo, Minn./Centennial) delivered a ball to
Garrett Miers (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) and the two combined for UNW's first goal of the season. The goal came just two minutes after Augsburg's goal and the scoreboard now read 3-1 in favor of the Auggies.
The goal injected some life into the Eagles' side as they now only trailed by two goals and were back within striking distance. Both teams knew that whoever got the next goal would have very strong implications into who would win the contest. Unfortunately for UNW, Augsburg answered their goal even quicker than they had answered the Auggies. Just 12 seconds after the Eagles had scored, the Auggies found the back of the net and were back up 4-1. That score would end up as the final.
Kyle Dipzinski (Ionia, Minn./Ionia) got his first collegiate action in the second half of the season opener against Bethel, but got his first collegiate start in this contest. The freshman finished the match with five saves.
Miers finished the game with two shots, both of them on goal, and one that found the back of the net. McMillin picked up his first assist of the year while also adding a shot.
Jonathan-Thomas Olsen (Modesto, Calif./James Enochs High),
Simeon Friesen (Mounds View, Minn./Mounds View), and
Nathan Martinez (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) all added shots as well.
The Eagles will only get one day of rest before they are back at home to host Buena Vista University at Reynolds Field. The game is scheduled for Thursday, September 7
th at 5:00pm.
