AUGSBURG GAMECENTRAL PORTAL
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GAME BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS -- Matt Bowman (JR, Maple Grove, Minn.) delivered the game-winning goal on a penalty kick 2:27 into the second overtime, giving Augsburg College a 1-0 win over Macalester College in a battle of regionally-ranked Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's soccer teams on Saturday evening at Edor Nelson Field.

The Auggies (7-2-0 overall, 2-1-0 MIAC) were fouled during a play in the penalty box in the 103rd minute, resulting in Bowman's penalty kick, which he converted for the game-winning goal, his first goal of the season.

"We deserved this result," said Augsburg head coach Greg Holker. "I felt Gilmer's goal was a good one, but you don't always get the decisions you want. Macalester can say the same thing in the moment leading up to the penalty, so things leveled themselves out."

Macalester (7-2-1 overall, 1-1-0 MIAC) entered Saturday's game ranked No. 15 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III national poll, and was also ranked No. 2 in the NSCAA's North Region ranking. Augsburg entered the game ranked No. 4 in the regional poll.

After an even first half which saw Macalester hold an 8-7 shots edge, the Auggies controlled play for the rest of the contest, outshooting Macalester 16-5 during the second half and overtime for a 23-13 shots advantage. Augsburg also had 13 corner kicks in the game, while the Scots did not have a corner kick.

Augsburg's defense also prevented Macalester from getting shots on net, as the Scots were limited to just one shot-on-goal, which Auggie goalkeeper Will Morlock (FY, Grand Haven, Mich.) saved for his fourth shutout of the season. Each of Augsburg's seven victories this year have come by shutout.

"There was always a threat from Macalester because they got up the field fast and would put balls in dangerous places at any chance they could get. That being said, I thought we dealt with their attack very well. Peter Loyd (JR, Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) continues to orchestrate a very stingy back four and because of their play, Morlock had to make just one routine save," Holker said. "Having a lot of players that are capable of playing at the highest level in our program helps us a lot. We have fresher legs as the game progresses because we are able to go to our bench. That is a credit to the guys as well -- they continue to be selfless to do what is best for the program."

Meanwhile, Augsburg had numerous scoring chances, firing 10 shots-on-goal at Scots goalie Mark Mullaney (SR, Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS), who had nine saves. The Auggies also had a shot hit the crossbar in the second half, and had two potential goals denied on offside calls.

Chad Gilmer (SO, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) and Ahmed Gobana (JR, Burnsville, Minn.) had four shots each for the Auggies, while Ryan Marshall (JR, Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) and Robin Forslund (FY, Madison, Wis./Memorial HS) had three shots each for Macalester.

"In the first 15-20 minutes, I was a bit concerned about how we would deal with their massive size and aerial play. We struggled in that time frame, but once we got the ball on the floor and moving it a little quicker we were much better," Holker said. "Gobana did well to attack a space we thought would be vulnerable and from there he forced Mullaney into two very good saves and he hit the crossbar. Gottlieb Uahengo (SO, Windhoek, Namibia/St. George's College) also provided some danger when he relieved Ahmed in that same spot."

Both teams return to MIAC play on Wednesday (9/29) at 7:30 p.m. with home matches, as Augsburg hosts St. Olaf and Macalester hosts Carleton.