No. 15 Men's Soccer Earns 2-0 Win Over Concordia College-Moorhead
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St. Louis, Mo., October 25, 2010 — The No. 15 Washington University in St. Louis men’s soccer team ended its non-conference slate with a 2-0 victory over Concordia College-Moorhead on Monday, Oct. 25, at Francis Field in St. Louis, Mo.
Washington University led 1-0 at the half after a very back-and-forth physical start to the game. The first 45 minutes featured strong scoring opportunities for both teams, but it was actually a defender, senior Randall Schoen, that recorded the only goal of the period.
Freshman Michael Flowers started the play by sending a long pass from the far sideline into the middle of Concordia’s box. The Cobber defense managed to send the ball back out, but not completely out of harm’s way as Schoen settled it around the 35-yard line. He opted to send a long wobbly shot back toward net, and the high arching ball hung in the air, eventually soaring over the outstretched hands of Concordia-Moorhead goalkeeper Peter Runquist for the score; it was the first goal of the season for Schoen.
The Bears had another good scoring opportunity later in the first when freshman forward Jeremy Kirkwood streaked through the Concordia defense from midfield all the way to the 10-yard line, but his shot was turned away by Runquist and the WUSTL lead remained 1-0.
Just moments later it appeared as though Concordia managed to draw even. Following a Washington University foul, Concordia’s Marco Riboli sent a long ball from the 35-yard line into traffic in front of the net. Concordia’s Felix Okoth appeared to head the pass past WUSTL goalkeeper Andrew Serio, but the Cobbers were called for a foul on the play, nullifying the score.
Washington University controlled play in the second half, outshooting the Cobbers 9-2 and eventually adding a second goal in the 86th minute.
The Bears first good scoring chance came midway through the second, as WUSTL leading scorer Pat McClean sent a long pass across the field to sophomore Zachary Query. Query chased down the ball and took a close proximity shot that was save out of bounds by Runquist, resulting in a corner kick for Washington U., but the Red and Green were unable to capitalize.
Near the end of the game Washington University finally scored the second goal it was searching for. Flowers started the play once again, passing the ball down the left side of the field to sophomore Brian Wright. Wright sent a long cross to the top right corner of the box, where senior John Duncan hammered a 25-yard rocket through traffic and past Runquist for his first goal of the season.
Concordia (12-4-1) entered the game averaging 2.88 goals per contest and the Cobbers had not been shutout since a 5-0 loss to Carleton College all the way back on Sept. 8. It was also Concordia’s first loss since a 3-1 setback to Macalester on Sept. 15. The Cobbers played most of the game without their leading scorer, Riley McGlynn, who suffered an apparent injury just over five minutes into the game and did not return.
Serio and freshman Jonathan Jebson split time in net for the Bears, with Serio making three saves in the first half and Jebson one in the second. Serio picked up the win and improved to 9-0-1, and the team recorded its 11th shutout of the year.
Washington U. (12-1-3) continues its five-game home stand on Friday, Oct. 29, with the first of three-straight University Athletic Association (UAA) matches to end the year. The Bears host Brandeis University at Francis Field in St. Louis, Mo., at 7:30 p.m.
Brandeis enters the game with a 1-2-1 mark in conference play while the Bears are 2-1-1 in conference, just one point behind first place New York University, who visits Francis Field on Sunday afternoon.