BOXSCORE | AUGSBURG MEN'S SOCCER VIDEO PAGE

MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh scored three first-half goals, then held off a furious Augsburg College comeback in a 3-2 decision in a battle of nationally ranked men's soccer teams on Friday night at Augsburg's Edor Nelson Field.

Brandon Briones (JR, Menasha, Wis.) scored twice in the first 18 minutes for Wisconsin-Oshkosh (7-0-1 overall), ranked No. 21 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III national polls, with Will Howell (SR, Waunakee, Wis.) adding the other Titan goal.

#D.J. Wendell# (SR, Princeton, Minn./Charles M. Russell (Mont.) HS) and Alex Hildebrandt (SR, St. Paul, Minn./Highland Park HS) scored second-half goals for No. 15-ranked Augsburg (5-3-1 overall).

The Auggies mounted a strong comeback in the second half, outshooting the Titans by a 13-2 margin in the half, en route to a 19-9 shots advantage in the game. But Titan goalkeeper James Pike (SO, Wauwatosa, Wis./West HS) collected seven saves, including five in the second half, to score the win in goal.

"Give us back 20 minutes and this script is very different," said Augsburg head coach Greg Holker. "Oshkosh is a fantastic side. They play attractive, creative soccer and have threatening players in Howell and Briones. We conceded on our own errors -- small things that we will easily fix -- but I was pleased because Oshkosh made us better. They forced us to play faster and harder and our guys absolutely ate that up. Statistically the first half was even with the exception of the goals; in the second half, we were incredible and it wasn't a contest."

Wisconsin-Oshkosh opened the scoring in the ninth minute, when Briones scored on a header off a corner kick by Paul Beach (SR, Prairie du Sac, Wis./Sauk Prairie HS). Nine minutes later, Briones scored again, lining a shot from 35 yards out on a feed from Fedja Korjenic (FY, Sarajevo, Bosnia/Greenfield (Wis.) HS). The Titans scored again in the 38th minute, as Howell scored an unassisted goal.

Augsburg rallied in the second half, as Wendell put home a rebound in front off a shot by Peter Osborn (SO, Eagan, Minn./Eastview HS) in the 59th minute, and Hildebrandt scored on a scramble in front off a midfield free kick by Lucas Ingram (SR, Woodbury, Minn.).

"D.J. finally got on board, recording his traditional goal from inside six yards. Hildebrandt bombed forward on a free kick and got us within one and he was strong on the night overall," Holker said. "Jeff Butler (FY, Prior Lake, Minn.) was tremendous holding the ball and Nick Anderson's (SR, White Bear Lake, Minn.) work rate created havoc and forced turnovers. I thought Ryan Sorensen (SR, Plymouth, Minn./Osseo HS) was great defensively in the midfield, busting up their counterattacks early."

Augsburg goalkeeper Jeff Webster (FY, Maple Grove, Minn.) claimed one save in goal. Wendell, Hildebrandt and Osborn had three shots each for the Auggies.

Augsburg returns to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday (9/30) at 4 p.m., with a game at St. Olaf. Wisconsin-Oshkosh will face St. Olaf on Sunday (9/27) at 1 p.m. in Northfield, Minn.

"In the end, I am as pleased with this effort and this team as I have been in my six seasons here," Holker said. "This was exactly what we needed. A great battle against a very good team -- the best we have seen so far -- and a conclusion that carry forward into our training and future games. We can't wait to play St. Olaf on Wednesday."