MINNEAPOLIS -- A pair of one-timer goals off of solid services in a 10-minute span in the first half gave the Augsburg University men's soccer team a 2-0 nonconference win over the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Saturday afternoon at Edor Nelson Field.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:Â Augsburg 2, Wisconsin-Platteville 0
LOCATION:Â Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis
RECORDS:Â Augsburg 6-4-1 overall, UW-Platteville 4-6-2 overall
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Augsburg had just three shots on-goal in the game, but two of them went in the net in the first half, as perfect services were delivered to players in front for goals. The first game in the 20th minute, asÂ
Lionel Vang (SR, Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS) ran the ball to the left end line, then served it to the left corner of the goal, where he found a sliding
Nick Zuchowski (SO, Wales, Wis./Kettle Moraine HS), who deposited the ball in the net for his third goal of the season.
• Ten minutes later,
Lalo Gomez (JR, Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy HS) was the beneficiary of an impressive service from
Nick Vergara (JR, Aurora, Colo./Eaglecrest HS). Vergara floated in a service from the top right corner of the penalty box to the left edge of the goal, and Gomez jumped to slam home his first goal of the season.
• On a cold and drizzly afternoon, Augsburg was able to play many players in the shutout victory, with 20 players seeing game action.
• Despite being outshot by a 16-7 margin, the Auggie defense and midfield did a solid job in keeping UW-Platteville scoring opportunities to a minimum. The Auggies held a 54-46 percent advantage in possesion in the game, and just four of the Pioneers' 16 shots were on-goal, all of which goalkeeper
Garrett Kaelin (SR, Stillwater, Minn./Hill-Murray HS) saved for his second straight shutout.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
• Augsburg's leader in goals (five), assists (six) and points (16), Vang has at least one point in nine of Augsburg's 11 games this season, including each of Augsburg's victories. Vang is tied for eighth
among Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference players in overall points, fifth in assists and tied for 12th in goals.
FOR THE FOES
• Ben Geibl had three shots in the game for UW-Platteville.
• Nate Miller had one save in goal.
QUOTES FROM AUGSBURG HEAD COACH GREG HOLKER
• "We are happy to go two games without conceding a goal, as that is certainly our priority right now. If it means we give up a little of the ball, so be it. That being said, we still had 54 percent possession, and we were really efficient in the final third. Lionel danced on the end line twice for great chances. We still can't figure out how the first one didn't go in. "Z" made a great effort to give up his body to score the the second opportunity, as he is been playing very well recently."
• "
Lalo Gomez was rewarded for his good work recently with a smart goal. He just snuck inside the right back and put his knee on the ball into the top corner. Really well done."
• "In the second half we weren't as sharp, but we blocked shots, kept the game in front of us, and saw the game out. We were able to get a few different guys in the game as we look ahead to tomorrow's game with Nebraska Wesleyan. They've rattled off five wins in a row heading into today's game at Dubuque and have a 6-4 Division I transfer who's scored 12 goals this season."
• "We hope you will consider joining us tomorrow morning at mile marker 19 (Franklin Avenue Bridge) around 10:15 a.m. to support the Twin Cities Marathon runners. We will be there to lend a hand!"
UP NEXT
• Augsburg hosts Nebraska Wesleyan in a nonconference game on Sunday (10/6) at 3:30 p.m. at Edor Nelson Field.