Men's Soccer 11/22/08 -- NCAA Division III National Playoff Third Round -- Loras (Iowa) 2, Augsburg 1 (2OT)
GAME BOXSCORE | AUGSBURG SEASON STATISTICS
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DUBUQUE, Iowa (11/22/08) -- Nick Berndt (JR, Berwin, Ill./St. Joseph HS) scored on a crossing shot on a sprint six minutes into the second overtime, as host Loras College (Iowa) rallied from a 1-0 deficit to claim a 2-1 victory over Augsburg College in an NCAA Division III national playoff sectional semifinal game on Saturday night at the Rock Bowl.
Augsburg (12-4-7), in the NCAA playoffs for the first time in school history, took the lead two minutes into the second half, as Marcus Elmerskog (FY, Trondheim, Norway) scored on a header off a free kick by Andrew Seidel (SR, Woodbury, Minn.) from 30 yards out.
But Loras (19-4-1) tied the game in the 80th minute, as Justin McCord (JR, Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge HS) scored on a rebound off a scramble in the penalty box. Neither team scored in the first overtime, setting the stage for Berndt's game-winner in the second extra session.
"It was an unfortunate ending to an incredibly good college soccer game. We felt we had better chances to end the game in regulation, but couldn't capitalize," said Augsburg head coach Greg Holker. They cleared a header off a corner kick into the underside of the crossbar, and had several saves out of danger by their backs. We played well enough to win."
Loras will advance to face Ohio Northern (19-5-1) in the sectional final on Sunday (11/23) at 6 p.m. at Loras, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Division III national semifinals on Dec. 5 in Greensboro, N.C.
"Loras is a good team," Holker said. "Santiago Mejia (JR, Cali, Colombia) makes them tick, and he is a special player. I hope they take care of business from here on out and continue to represent the West Region well."
Augsburg outshot Loras by a 15-13 margin, including a 6-1 edge in the first half. Loras outshot Augsburg 8-5 in the second half, and the teams both had four shots in overtime. Pascaul Venter (JR, Rochester, Minn./John Marshall HS) had three saves in goal for the Auggies, while Nate DuBois (SO, Lemont, Ill.) had one save for the Duhawks.
Augsburg reached the "Sweet Sixteen" for the first time in program history, joining fellow Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference squad Carleton in the national tournament. Carleton also lost in the "Sweet Sixteen" on Saturday, falling 1-0 against defending national champion Middlebury (Vt.).
"For the MIAC to get two teams to the Sweet Sixteen is a compliment in itself," Holker said. "It's unfortunate neither of us are moving forward, but our regular season competition more than prepared us for this challenge."
The Auggies completed one of the top seasons in school history in Holker's fifth season as Augsburg's head coach. The Auggies reached the MIAC postseason playoffs for the second time in a three-year span, reaching double-digit victories for the second time in the last three years, and recorded 12 victories for the sixth time in school history.
Seven seniors finished their collegiate careers for the Auggies -- James See (SR, Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels HS), Ryley Teske (SR, Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Lutheran HS), Andrew Seidel (SR, Woodbury, Minn.), David Long (SR, Bloomington, Minn./Holy Angels HS), Donnie McCarthy (SR, Whitehall, Mich.), Evan Fuhs (SR, Woodbury, Minn.) and Brian Jungwirth (SR, Bloomington, Minn./Bloomington Lutheran HS).
"Our seniors made a blind commitment to this program four years ago," Holker said. "I was 26 years old, promising them a future of great success and NCAA glory. They took a risk on me. I will forever be grateful for their work and the sacrifices they made to put this program back on the map. We are all extremely proud of their work and excellence both on the field and in the classroom. Above this, they have grown to be extremely confident and impressive men -- men who do the right thing, and men who challenge each other and those around them to improve the lives of everyone they come in contact with. I am devastated that I won't see them wearing these colors on the field again."
However, 16 of the 22 players on the NCAA playoff roster for the Auggies will return next season, as the Auggies have established a base for continued success in the future.
"On the other end, our team is young," Holker said. "Tonight was a chance for them to recognize how important every moment is. I suspect this off-season will be one that is dedicated to making the outgoing class proud. We have a responsibility to honor the men who laid the groundwork for our continued success."
