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RYAN SORENSEN'S GOAL (YOUTUBE)

MINNEAPOLIS -- Ryan Sorensen (SR, Plymouth, Minn./Osseo HS) scored on a blast following a corner kick in the 83rd minute, giving Augsburg College a 1-0 win over Hamline University in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's soccer game on Friday evening at Augsburg's Edor Nelson Field.

Augsburg (7-7-1 overall, 2-6-0 MIAC) dominated play throughout the game, particularly in the second half, when the Auggies outshot Hamline (6-9-1 overall, 2-5-1 MIAC) by a 17-7 margin, en route to a 28-12 shots advantage in the game.

"The first half was relatively boring. I don't think either team generated much, but our guys certainly didn't move the ball with any urgency. Pascaul Venter (SR, Rochester, Minn./John Marshall HS) did make one good save off Drew Lukas' (SR, South St. Paul, Minn./Edina HS) shot on the left side of the goal," said Augsburg head coach Greg Holker.

"In the second half, we looked much more likely to win the game from the opening minute," Holker added. "We held the ball better, played more short passes, and players worked hard around the ball to be available. Hamline is always dangerous because they have strong players with some pace so when they serve it forward, there is a moment of concern. However, our back four were pretty good. This is the first shutout we've had since we beat Central 2-0 in early September. Mac Miller (SR, Rochester, Minn./Lourdes HS) was the anchor back there; he was in command with his voice and with his quality."

While controlling the tempo and having numerous solid scoring chances, the Auggies finally cashed in late in the game. A clearing attempt on a corner kick by Matt Bowman (SO, Maple Grove, Minn.) was blasted by Sorensen from the top of the penalty box for his third goal of the season.

"Sorensen's goal was one for the highlight reel," Holker said. "He took it perfectly on a full volley and just smacked it past Zach Nelson (SO, Eagan, Minn.). Zach got the better of Sorensen's earlier attempt, when he made a great diving save."

Augsburg's defense played a solid game, keeping Hamline scoring chances to a minimum, while also generating some strong counterattacks.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Venter, one of nine Augsburg seniors making their final career appearances at Edor Nelson Field, collected four saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season and school-record 26th of his career.

"This game was the last on Edor Nelson Field for our seniors, and I am grateful that they were rewarded for all of their great work in the past four years with a win tonight," Holker said.

Nelson had eight saves in goal for Hamline. Matt Warhol (SR, Andover, Minn.) had four shots in the game, while Lukas had three shots.

For Augsburg, Bowman had seven shots, while Van Hong (JR, St. Louis Park, Minn.) had five shots. Sorensen and Ahmed Gobana (SO, Burnsville, Minn.) had four shots each.

"I thought Matt Bowman was very good tonight. He created scoring chances for his teammates and for himself. On top of that, he went 45 minutes in the second half -- significant because it is the first full half he has played post surgery," Holker said.

Both teams return to MIAC play on Tuesday (10/27), with Augsburg playing at St. Mary's at 7 p.m., and Hamline playing at Gustavus at 3:30 p.m.