Men's Soccer 9/10/06 -- Augsburg (Minn.) 2, Carroll (Wis.) 0

BOXSCORE 

MINNEAPOLIS (9/9/06) -- Claiming its fifth straight shutout to start the season and seventh dating to last year, the Augsburg College men's soccer team scored twice in the second half to secure a 2-0 nonconference victory over Carroll College (Wis.) on Sunday afternoon at Augsburg's Edor Nelson Field.

Playing a physical game in wet conditions under a constant drizzle, the Auggies improved to 5-0-0 on the season with the win, while Carroll slipped to 0-3-0.

"This was a physical game from the moment it began," said Augsburg head coach Greg Holker. "A wet surface and wind take away from the technical qualities of a match, as was the case today."

Augsburg has now outscored its opponents by a 14-0 margin in its five victories this season. Augsburg's shutout streak has now reached 662 minutes -- seven straight shutouts and 12 minutes of a eighth game dating to last year.

The teams combined for 49 fouls (25 for Carroll, 24 for Augsburg) and nine cautions in the physical contest -- two yellow cards to Augsburg, seven yellow cards and one red-card ejection for Carroll. Twenty-seven fouls were recorded in a scoreless first half.

"We sat back too much in the first half, and they outplayed us," Holker said. "Fortunately, they did not get on the board."

Augsburg outshot Carroll by an 11-5 margin in the second half, en route to a 16-13 shots advantage.

The Auggies got on the scoreboard in the 51st minute, taking advantage of a Carroll turnover. Josh Stepaniak (Fr., Woodbury, Minn.) stole a pass in the middle and fed Kelsey Duerr (Fr., Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park HS), who was wide open in front of the net.

"Josh Stepaniak's work rate is insatiable up front, and his pressure was what caused Kelsey's chance on goal," Holker said.

Augsburg got an insurance goal off a set piece in the 77th minute, as a corner kick by Andrew Seidel (So., Woodbury, Minn.) was put home on a header by Nick Manders (Jr., De Pere, Wis./West De Pere HS). Manders scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

"Manders continues to be a valuable asset for us in the air," Holker said. "We had two corner kicks today, and he hammered both of them. The first was just wide, and the second put us in the clear."

Twenty-two Auggies saw action in the game, while other players got valuable rest, according to Holker.

"We were able to play some more guys today, to see what they can do," Holker said. "I thought Ryan Sorensen (Fr., Plymouth, Minn./Osseo HS) was very good, and Lucas Ingram (Fr., Woodbury, Minn.) played well with his minutes."

Augsburg goalkeeper Pascaul Venter (So., Rochester, Minn./John Marshall HS) made two saves to notch his fourth shutout of the season and fifth of his college career. Nick Kavelaris (Sr., Beaver Dam, Wis./Wayland Academy HS) made six saves for Carroll.

Joey Shoemaker (Sr., Silvis, Ill./United Township HS) had four shots for the Pioneers, while Dan Shuder (Fr., Germantown, Wis.) had three shots and Derek Marie (So., Plover, Wis./Stevens Point HS) had two. Ryley Teske (So., Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Lutheran HS) had three shots for Augsburg.

Augsburg opens Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday (9/13) at 7:30 p.m., with a home game against St. Olaf at Edor Nelson Field. Carroll has a nonconference game at North Park (Ill.) on Friday (9/15) at 7 p.m.

"The real test begins Wednesday," Holker said. "St. Olaf has had two good results, and the pair of Jacob Meyer and Eric Halaas up top are very dangerous, especially with Abu Farah coming in. There is no question our backs will have their hands full."