Women's Soccer 9/17/08 -- Augsburg 3, Hamline 2

GAME BOXSCORE | AUGSBURG SEASON STATISTICS

MINNEAPOLIS (9/17/08) -- Katie Medd (SR, Mankato, Minn./East HS) scored two goals, including the game-winner on a rebound with 1:16 left in the game, as Augsburg College claimed a 3-2, come-from-behind win over Hamline University in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's soccer game on Wednesday evening at Augsburg's Edor Nelson Field.

Augsburg (5-1-1 overall, 1-0-1 MIAC) rallied from a 3-2 deficit with two goals in the final 15:50 -- an unassisted bender from 15 yards out by Kelsey Watsabaugh (SR, Eden Prairie, Minn./Hopkins HS) in the 75th minute and Medd's goal, coming on a rebound off a shot by Courtney Gamrath (FY, St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) in the 89th minute.

Hamline (3-3-0 overall, 1-1-0 MIAC) got both its goals from Mallory Koula (FY, Appleton, Wis./Kimberly HS), who claimed her seventh and eighth goals of the season on assists from Haley Leverington (JR, Burnsville, Minn.) and Kim Magill (SR, Stillwater, Minn.) in the 46th minute and 58th minute.

"We did not play particularly well tonight, but we showed a lot of character in coming from behind after giving up two goals in the second half," said Augsburg head coach Mike Navarre. "I know the team is proud of our effort, but disappointed with letting in some goals tonight."

Augsburg opened the scoring in the 12th minute, as Medd scored on a long sprint to the goal off a midfield pass by Sadie Kern (FY, Rapid City, S.D./Stevens HS). Augsburg dominated the first half, controlling possession throughout and claiming nine shots to Hamline's one.

But Hamline rallied back to take the lead early in the second half. Just 58 seconds into the period, Koula scored her first goal of the game on a long sprint to the goal, taking a pass from Leverington and depositing a shot across the crease. Koula claimed her second goal in the 58th minute, taking a feed from Magill on the left side and putting another shot across the crease.

Augsburg tied the game at the 74:10 mark, as Watsabaugh took a defensive deflection off her corner kick on the right side of the penalty box and bent a left-foot shot for an unassisted goal. Medd capped the scoring -- and her first collegiate multi-goal game -- with her rebound shot from Gamrath at the 88:44 mark.

Augsburg ended up outshooting Hamline by a 22-6 margin, including a 13-5 edge in the second half. Augsburg also had seven corner kicks in the game, while Hamline had none. Augsburg goalkeeper Maggie DeGroot (SR, Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha West HS) picked up her 32nd career victory in goal with a one-save effort, moving her closer to the Augsburg career record; Beth Petrik claimed 34 victories in her career (1995-98), while Laura Hoffman (2000-03) holds the career record with 35 wins in goal.

"I give a lot of credit to Hamline," Navarre said. "(Coach) Ted Zingman has done a great job improving their program. The shot totals are a little misleading; they made it very difficult for us tonight."

Hamline goalkeeper Liz Stock (FY, Savage, Minn./Prior Lake HS) collected nine saves in net in a complete-game effort for the Pipers.

Both teams return to MIAC play on Saturday (9/20). Augsburg hosts St. Thomas at 4 p.m., while Hamline hosts St. Mary's at 1 p.m.

"Now we have to rest and regroup, as we prepare for a difficult match on Saturday against a very talented and athletic St Thomas team," Navarre said.