ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- In a challenging game that put both teams to the test for the full 110 minutes, the Augsburg University and Bethel University men's soccer teams played to a 0-0, two-overtime draw in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 0, Bethel 0 (2OT)
LOCATION: Ona North Complex, Arden Hills, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 7-5-3 overall (2-4-1 MIAC), Bethel 6-8-1 overall (1-6-1 MIAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Augsburg outshot Bethel by a 19-15 margin in the game. Eleven of those shots came from
Lionel Vang (SR, Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS), including a pair that hit the goalpost and crossbar.
•
Nick Zuchowski (SO, Wales, Wis./Kettle Moraine HS) and
Johnny Vu (JR, Maplewood, Minn./Roseville HS) had two shots each for the Auggies.
• Goalkeeper
Garrett Kaelin (SR, Stillwater, Minn./Hill-Murray HS) tied a season-high with seven saves for Augsburg.
FOR THE FOES
• Colin Hupert had six saves in goal for Bethel.
• Connor Nelson had five shots in the game for the Royals.
QUOTES FROM AUGSBURG HEAD COACH GREG HOLKER
• "Ours is a cruel sport, and more times than we'd like, the more talented team doesn't always win. I don't want to take anything away from Bethel, because they worked their tails off today and put out a very good performance. That being said, we had plenty of chances to grab three points today and just couldn't find the answer."
"
Lionel Vang was again an absolute magician out there, as he hit both the crossbar and the post. He missed his last chance while he was cramping up in the second overtime by inches.
Nick Vergara hit one off the bar early after we did really well to establish possession in Bethel's half in the first 30 minutes. There was a run of time in each half that the Royals attacked us, but we never felt like they were going to break the final line."
"It just wasn't meant to be today, making the journey to the playoffs even more challenging. We are still alive, and I am confident the group will rally and get the result needed next Saturday against Carleton at Edor Nelson Field. That is a must-win for us now, so we hope to have as many alumni and supporters there to help as possible. The game lands on fall break here, so we won't have the normal student body on campus."
UP NEXT
• Augsburg hosts Carleton at Edor Nelson Field next Saturday (10/26) at 5 p.m.
• Bethel travels to face St. Olaf next Saturday at 1 p.m.
