MSOCC 2009 -- v Augsburg (L 1-0, 1 OT)

The Cougar men's soccer team battled Augsburg, the 17th-ranked team in the nation, scoreless for 98 minutes of aggressive, physical and fast-paced soccer. In the end, it was an "own goal" deflected on a corner kick off a UMM player that ultimately decided the game in favor of the Auggies in the first overtime.

It may have been easy to identify with the disappointment rendered on the faces of the Cougar players after the game, but that would risk missing the clear bright spots in this opening season contest. During regulation the Cougars outshot the Auggies, 16-13, holding them to just two shots in the first half alone, and had a clear advantage in time of possession, showing mid-season form with their ball handling and passing.

Physical play marked the contest with 30 fouls rung up between the teams. Midfielders Patrick O'Connor, Matt Johnson, Kelsey Duerr and several other Cougars fought hard all game long to control the center of the field.

After the game, head coach Christian DeVries appeared calm and kept the loss in perspective. "Hey, we outshot the number 17 team in the nation and I thought our back three [Dana Veth, Justin O'Connor, and Greg Borchers] shut them down the entire game."

The Cougars will rest and practice four days until they host their second MIAC opponent in a row, Hamline University, on Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.).

Hamline (0-1) is coming off a season-opening loss to Dominican University.

Box Score

Reporting for this game contributed by student Daniel Heaney.