MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg University men's soccer team opened its abbreviated 2020-21 season with a 2-1 loss to Saint Mary's University on Sunday afternoon.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Saint Mary's 2, Augsburg 1
LOCATION: Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 0-10 overall, Saint Mary's 1-1-0 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Augsburg dominated possession in the game, holding the ball for 61 percent of the game compared to Saint Mary's 39 percent. The Auggies also outshot Saint Mary's by an 18-8 margin, including an 11-5 advantage in the second half.
• The Cardinals scored a goal in the 30th minute, but Augsburg tied the game in the 62nd minute, as Tomas Piza-Gonzalez (FY, Minneapolis, Minn./Hiawatha Collegiate HS) scored on a forward feed from Varney Conneh (FY, Anoka, Minn./Champlin Park HS). 
• Saint Mary's was forced to play with 10 men after a second yellow card led to a red-card ejection in the 78th minute. But two minutes later, the Cardinals went ahead on an "own goal," as a cross was deflected by an Auggie defender into the net.
• Nick Zuchowski (JR, Wales, Wis./Kettle Moraine HS) and Alex Ruiz (SO, Waukesha, Wis./Kettle Moraine HS) had four shots each for the Auggies, while Piza-Gonzalez had three shots.
• Oscar Herrera (FY, Madison, Wis./Madison West HS) had one save in goal.

FOR THE FOES
• Wally Barros scored the opening goal of the game for Saint Mary's, assisted by Diego Rivera.
• Daniel Sessler had four saves in goal for the Cardinals.

QUOTES FROM AUGSBURG COACH GREG HOLKER
• "It feels great to be back in an official competitive game and Saint Mary's was a good MIAC opponent. Corbin Bowers has them improving year over year and they worked their tails off for the points. It didn't feel so great to lose, when we had so much of the ball in their half and so many chances. We are missing an important piece, and that will make it a little more difficult for us in these spring COVID season games. To concede on a deflected goal and then an own goal was a bit silly, but that's the nature of this game. 
• "We had some excellent moments and created really good chances at the edge of the box. Tomas Piza-Gonzalez was outstanding in the second half, Nick Zuchowski was the best player on the field, and I thought Spencer Enright was really good as he had to play multiple roles today. The guys are in good spirits after the game, and we really value the opportunities this spring is providing us to learn and grow together. We are looking forward to getting another game on Saturday at Concordia."

UP NEXT
• Augsburg travels to face Concordia-Moorhead on Saturday (4/17) at 1:30 p.m.
• Saint Mary's hosts Concordia-Moorhead next Sunday (4/18) at 3:30 p.m.