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7:05 p.m. -- Welcome to our first-ever soccer live blog! We are in the Rock Bowl press box on the campus of Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, for Augsburg's NCAA Division III men's soccer sectional game between Augsburg and Loras. The winner will advance to face Ohio Northern (20-5-1), who beat Hobart (N.Y., 18-1-3) 2-1 in the first game tonight. ONU scored twice in a 15-minute span early in the second half, and held off a strong comeback by Hobart to advance to Sunday's sectional final.
Like everywhere in the Midwest this weekend, it's COLD! The Weather Channel says it's 32 degrees here in Dubuque, with a windchill of 26 (at least it's not too windy!). The Rock Bowl is a unique stadium ... it's literally what it's named as, a stadium cut into a rock bowl in a little valley between hills on the upper end of Dubuque, a city on the mighty Mississippi River. It's a FieldTurf surface, a lot like Augsburg's Edor Nelson Field's SprinTurf surface, except it's several yards wider than the Augsburg stadium. It may be like the wide field Augsburg faces when it plays at Gustavus ... but Augsburg did claim a win at Gustavus in the MIAC playoffs this year, so hopefully that trend will continue tonight.
Given the wintry conditions, the crowd is a little small, but there is still a hearty contingent of Auggie supporters here, both parents and alumni, bundled up and sitting right below us near the center of the field. There was a small reception sponsored by the Augsburg Alumni and Consitutent Relations department in the student center here before the game.
Looks like it will be a 7:40 p.m., or so start time ... watch the live video online and come back here periodically for some updates in print. Hopefully, it's going to be a great game!
8:10 p.m. -- About 20 minutes to go in the first half ... Both teams have had a couple of good chances. Five minutes in, Loras had a corner kick that came in on one bounce to Nate Minkel, right in front of the net, but his header just went over the crossbar. A minute later, Augsburg's D.J. Wendell played a nice sprint deep into Loras territory and earned a corner kick, but the Auggies couldn't convert. Nine minutes in, Augsburg's Alex Hildebrandt had a great chance on a header off a corner kick in front, but his header went high.
Goalkeeper Pascaul Venter made a great stop on a cross with 34 minutes left in the first half. With 24 minutes left, a shot by Van Hong went wide.
The game has been a good defensive struggle ... Augsburg has been known for its defense, giving up just 11 goals so far this season, and the Auggie backs have put some solid pressure on the Loras 3-5-2 alignment. Weather conditions don't seem to be a major factor. Yes, it's cold, but the guys seem to be used to it.
OH, WOW ... 18:45 left ... Augsburg had a great chance on a corner kick. The goalkeeper went forward and left the goal a bit exposed, and an Auggie header hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced back away from the goal. Best chance of the game so far. A minute later, Augsburg has another chance on a counter-attack, but a cross goes just wide.
8:25 p.m. ... 10 minutes left in the first half ... James See is incredible. With 14 minutes left, he gets fouled and goes down, but he gets back up after a short stoppage. A minute later, he nearly puts the Auggies on the scoreboard on a terrific shot, but it misses high. Coach Greg Holker always has compliments for See as one of the best players in the entire conference, and his play tonight has been exemplary so far.
A few minutes later, subsitute defender Simon Rekkebo does a great job of stopping a Loras chance inside the penalty box, with some nifty footwork to jar the ball from the Loras forward.
In the last couple minutes, Augsburg has been whistled twice for offsides. Augsburg has started to take more control of possession, though it has gone back and forth between these two talented teams ... as you'd expect from a playoff game this deep into the tournament.
8:30 p.m. -- HALFTIME -- 0-0.
In the last half-hour of play, Augsburg has definitely dominated the scoring chances. Stats show six shots for Augsburg to one for Loras ... none on-goal as of yet. With three minutes left in the half, Peter Osborn served a nice free kick from 30 yards out into the box, and Marcus Elmerskog missed high on a shot on the loose ball. In the final minute, Lucas Ingram had a corner kick from 40 yards out which was smothered by Loras goalkeeper Nate DuBois. And in the closing seconds, goalkeeper Pascaul Venter made a nice stop on a Loras cross.
The game has been physical -- Loras has eight fouls, while Augsburg has six -- but not out of control. Both teams are showing good poise in their possessions. Augsburg has made some nice passes and has put together some solid counterattacks.
The first game tonight, between Hobart (N.Y.) and Ohio Northern, was also tied 0-0 at halftime, and ONU scored twice in the first 21 minutes of the second half to gain a 2-1 win ... will we see the same offensive fireworks in this game? Stay tuned -- it's going to be a good one!
8:48 p.m. -- GOAL!!!! AUGSBURG 1-0! (43:37 remaining in second half)
A minute into the second half, Augsburg's Marcus Elmerskog was fouled on a drive from 30 yards out, drawing a free kick. From the right side about 30 yards out, Andrew Seidel made a perfect service across the box to the left, and fittingly, Elmerskog finished it, diving for a shot past the Loras goalkeeper and into the net. Auggies ahead on the Norwegian's second goal of the year.
9:15 p.m. -- 20 minutes left, Augsburg leading 1-0
As a lot of soccer teams do when they get a goal in a close game, Augsburg's defense has collapsed, with five defenders back (again, James See has made a terrific adjustment to directing the defense from his center-mid position). The whole defense has played great so far. Even so, Augsburg has had some decent counter-attacks, but the Loras defense has also played well.
Loras has had a couple of huge chances in the past few minutes. With 27 minutes left, a Loras header was saved by Venter, and five minutes later, Loras had one of their best chances to score, as a shot was punched out in a scrum by Venter, and the resulting rebound was shot high over the crossbar.
9:23 p.m. -- GOAL -- Augsburg 1, Loras 1. (10 minutes left in second half)
Loras has had a lot of chances in the last few minutes, and they finally cashed one in. Loras had four shots on a scramble -- a shot by Sean Crosby deflected off the crossbar, two shots were blocked, and Justin McCord finally converted for the Duhawks, putting a shot from left to right across the crease, bouncing off the far post and into the net.
A brand new ballgame. Loras has had the momentum lately, but it may be time for an Augsburg comeback ...
9:35 p.m. -- END OF REGULATION -- Augsburg 1, Loras 1 -- We're going to overtime!
After the Loras goal, the Duhawks had another chance to score, but Venter made a great stop on a three-way pass play in the box. Augsburg has tried to counterattack, but was whistled for offsides three times. On a free kick with five minutes left, Augsburg had a chance to score on a scramble in the box, but a shot by Andrew Seidel on the left side of the six-yard box was blocked.
Time for overtime ... Augsburg has played nine overtime games this year, with a 1-1-7 record. Two of those seven ties have been playoff shootouts (PK shootouts are officially recorded as ties), with Carleton winning the PK battle in the MIAC playoff championship game on Nov. 8, and Augsburg winning the PK battle in the first-round NCAA playoff win at Whitworth (Wash.) on Nov. 13.
9:52 p.m. -- END OF FIRST OVERTIME -- Augsburg 1, Loras 1 -- More bonus soccer!
A scoreless first 10 minutes of overtime. Loras had a decent chance to score with 3:30 left, but a shot by Donnie St. George went high. Augsburg had three good chances in the last three minutes -- a shot by Marcus Elmerskog went wide with 2:56 left, a shot by Nick Anderson off a great feed by Alex Hilderandt went wide with 2:20 left, and a long shot by James See was saved by the Loras goalkeeper.
Another 10 minute, sudden-victory overtime ... if things are still tied, it's shootout time!
10:00 -- GOAL -- LORAS 2, AUGSBURG 1 (2OT).
And a great season for Augsburg comes to an end. Augsburg had a couple of chances left, but on a counterattack by Loras with 4:30 left, Nick Berndt played a ball on the sprint from right to left past Pascaul Venter, putting it in the goal and enabling host Loras to advance to the sectional final tomorrow night.
We'll have a game story and stats online shortly. What a great season for Augsburg ... In its first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament, the Auggies finished 12-4-7 and reaching heights never before achieved by this team. What a special year, and what a special team.
The Augsburg men's hockey team will be taking part in a unique fundraiser on Saturday (11/22) at 7 p.m. at its game against St. Thomas at the Augsburg Ice Arena.
In order to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research, the Auggies will be wearing special pink jerseys for Saturday's game, designed and donated by Tim Hawkinson and Eric Knutson from Showcase Hockey. Fans are also encouraged to wear pink clothing to the game.
Team members are asking for donations, both at the gate and via pledge sheets. Donations will be given to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - Minnesota Affiliate.
The special pink jersey fundraiser game was the brainchild of Augsburg men's hockey players Andrew Kent, Brett Way and Kurt Hogard, along with cross country/track athlete Kelsie Lungstrom, as part of a business class project, according to men's hockey coach Chris Brown.
This is the second year that the men's hockey team has held a breast cancer fundraiser, held in memory of Lois Hallcock Johnson '68, the wife of assistant coach Bruce Johnson '68. Lois died on Nov. 26, 2007 after a battle with breast cancer. A teacher, coach and counselor, she worked in the Osseo (Minn.) School District for 36 years, and was a strong supporter of her alma mater. Their three children -- Leah, Thomas and Aaron -- all attended Augsburg.
Come watch the Augsburg men's soccer team battle Whitworth University in the first round of the NCAA Division III championships! We will be showing a live feed from Whitworth University on a big screen in the Christensen Center Student Lounge. The game starts Thursday at 3 p.m. We will be serving popcorn and pop. Come wearing your maroon and help us cheer on the Auggie men's soccer team.
It's a great day for men's soccer at Augsburg. The Auggies earned a berth in the NCAA Division III national tournament for the first time in school history, and will travel out west to Spokane, Wash., for a game at Whitworth on Thursday at 1 p.m. (3 p.m. Twin Cities time).
The national tournament bid is the culmination of a tremendous season for the Auggies, head coach Greg Holker and his staff. Reaching the MIAC playoffs for the second time in the last three years, and reaching the finals with a 3-0 semifinal win at Gustavus was incredible. Then, the finals at Carleton on Saturday ... the team played its heart out in freezing-cold weather, and despite not winning the penalty-kick shootout, it was still a classic game, and as a spectator there, I was definitely proud of the effort our team gave.
Seven years ago, the Augsburg men's soccer team was 4-11-2 ... now, the Auggies are 11-3-6, one of its best seasons since the glory days of the late 70s and early 80s, and now they're going to the national tournament for the first time in school history. What a team!
We have playoff information online for Thursday's game. Whitworth is planning to have live coverage of the game -- live statistics and probably live video. We'll keep you posted.
The Augsburg men's soccer team is playing in the MIAC playoff championship game this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. We are organizing a fan bus to make the trip down to Northfield in support of the Auggies.
Seats must be reserved and paid for in advance and will be on sale Thursday and Friday in the Christensen Center. Tickets are only $5. We need a minimum of 25 people signed up in order to reserve the fan bus. If we aren't able to get the minimum number of people, all money will be refunded. If you have any questions, please call the Athletic Department at 612-330-1249.
Our apologies for the lack of posts lately ... It's "crossover season," one of two times during the school year when sports seasons overlap. Winter sports are underway, and fall sports are slowly coming to and end. And for those of us who work in support roles (sports administration, athletic training, sports info), that basically means double the amount of work. We'll be back on a regular schedule of posts soon.
Hello and welcome to Edor Nelson Field for today's MIAC matchup between the Augsburg Auggies and the St. Thomas Tommies. It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis and it's 20 minutes before game time. Stay tuned; we'll be live blogging all afternoon.
The Tommies will be kicking off. Everybody is up for the kickoff.
1:01 p.m. - Augsburg's Al-Hameed with a 19 yd return. The Auggies will start on the 35 yd line.
1:03 p.m. - On 3rd and short the Auggies saw something they didn't like and had to take a timeout.
1:04 p.m. - Jordan Berg on the keeper for the Auggie first down.
1:05 p.m. - The Auggies come out throwing -- pass completion to Winford for the first down. Augsburg runs for another first down. The Auggies continue the drive with a pass to Al-Hameed for the third Auggie first down of the drive.
1:08 p.m. - Augsburg's Christoperson to attempt the field goal -- no it's a fake. Christopherson attempts a pass over the middle -- it's intercepted by the Tommies who lateral and fumble -- St. Thomas recovers the fumble and takes over on their 8 yd line.
1:11 p.m. - After a penalty, it's going to be 3rd and 10 for St. Thomas on the 8 yd line. Another penalty against St. Thomas -- half the distance to the goal. 3rd and 14 on the 4 yd line. The Tommies have a good run up the middle, it's going to be close. Wait, there's a flag on the play -- holding St. Thomas -- the Auggies decline. It's going to be 4th and one. Fake punt -- the Tommies get a 19 yd run for a first down.
1:16 p.m. - St. Thomas continues their drive with another first down. It's now 1st and 10 on the UST 46 yd line.
1:19 p.m. - It's 3rd and 8 for the Tommies on their 48 yd line. After a short completion, the Auggies make a stop. 4th and 5 -- the tommies will punt. The Tommies have a long punt that bounces into the endzone. Auggies will take over on their 20 yd line.
1:22 p.m. - After a 9 yd pass to Mike Nourie, the Auggies have a 1 yd run for the first down.
1:24 p.m. - Berg to Winford for a short completion - the Auggies have another first down to their 46 yd line. On first down, Berg makes a nice completion to Al-Hameed as the Auggies cross mid-field for another first down.
1:27 p.m. - Berg attemps a deep pass to Nourie down the near sideline -- he makes the catch but is ruled out of bounds. The Auggies are are going for it on 4th and 4. Augsburg goes deep to Dan Brown -- TOUCHDOWN AUGGIES. There is some confusion about a penalty -- the ruling is touchdown Augsburg. Extra point is good. Augsburg takes a 7-0 lead. The drive was 10 plays, 80 yds, 4:24.
1:31 p.m. - St. Thomas has a nice kick return out to their 43 yd line. 1st and 10 St. Thomas.
1:32 p.m. - On first down, St. Thomas' Ben Wartman breaks a big run up the middle for a 57 yd touchdown run. The Tommies tie it up at 7-7.
1:34 p.m. - Auggies take over on their 30 yd line. On first down, St. Thomas comes up with a big interception and returns it down to the AUG 22 yd line.
END OF 1st QUARTER - Augsburg 7, St. Thomas 7
1:38 p.m. - After two defensive stands by the Auggies it will be 3rd and 14 for St. Thomas. The Tommies take a shot deep in the corner of the endzone and Augsburg's Royce Winford comes up with a big interception! Auggies will take over on their 20.
1:40 p.m. - Roby and Potts take back to back hand-offs for an Augsburg 1st down. 1st and 10 on the AUG 30. After two incompletions, the Auggies take a shot down the near sideline -- it's incomplete. Augsburg will be forced to punt.
1:43 p.m. - Augsburg punts and St. Thomas has a good return -- the Auggies forced a fumble but St. Thomas picked up the fumble and ran it in for a touchdown. Wait, flag on the play -- that one's coming back. It's going to be first down and 10 on the UST 38.
1:45 p.m. - The Augsburg defense comes up with 2 big stops. It's going to be 3rd and 11 for St. Thomas. The Tommies make a great pass completion down the near sideline for a 1st down. 1st and 10 on the AUG 39 yd line.
1:48 p.m. - On 3rd and 7, St. Thomas completes another pass for a Tommie first down. 1st and 10 on the AUG 28.
1:51 p.m. - 3rd and 10 for the Tommies -- Augsburg's Donovan Bates comes up with a big stop. 4th and 14 -- the tommeis are going for it. It's a completed pass but it's going to be short of the 1st down. Augsburg will take over on their 24 yd line.
1:53 p.m. - The Auggies come out passing -- Berg to Al-Hameed for a 30 yd completion! 1st down and 10 for the Auggies on the 45. The Auggies make another completion for a 1st down. 1st and 10 on the UST 32.
1:55 p.m. - Berg to Al-Hameed for a 12 yd completion. The Auggies are driving deep into Tommie territory.
1:58 p.m. - On third and 17, the Auggies take a timeout.
2 p.m. - On third down, the Auggies have an incomplete pass - intended for Al-Hameed. Augsburg is going for it. Another incomplete pass. St. Thomas will take over on their 27 yd line.
2:04 p.m. - After a completed pass the Tommies come up with another first down. St. Thomas has crossed mid-field. Augsburg's Tyler Judkins makes a great pass breakup. There is a flag on the play - it's against St. Thomas. The Auggies will decline. It's going to be 4th and one on the AUG 26.
2:07 p.m. - St. Thomas comes up with the 1st down. 1st and 10 on the AUG 10 yd line. After a short run, the Tommies take a timeout.
2:09 p.m. - A St. Thomas run is going to be close to a first down. Wait, flag on the play. Offsides Augsburg - that will make it 2nd and goal at the 4 yd line. After another short run, the Tommies call timeout.
2:11 p.m. - With :24 seconds left, the Augsburg secondary comes up with another pass breakup. That will make it 4th and goal on the 1 - the Tommies are going for it. AUGSBURG comes up with a HUGE goaline stop. The Auggies will take over on their one yd line. 10 seconds remaining. Berg on the keeper. The Auggies will run out the clock and head into the locker room with a 7-7 tie.
END OF THE FIRST HALF - Augsburg 7, St. Thomas 7. The Auggies had 182 yds of offense on 35 plays. Berg was 12-25 for 162 yds with 2 interceptions. St. Thomas had 237 yds of offense on 38 plays. St. Thomas was 7-12 for 59 yds with one interception.
During half time, Auggie fans were entertained by the cheer team, the dance team and the pep band. Augsburg also had a dedication ceremony for our brand new press box. Thanks to all of our donors for making the press box possible
2:35 p.m. - St. Thomas will be receiving to start the half. After a great return, the Tommies will have the ball on the AUG 40 yd line.
2:37 p.m. - After a short completion it will be 4th and 6 for St. Thomas. The Tommies will go for it. Augsburg comes up with the stop. Turnover on downs. Augsburg will have a 1st and 10 on their own 39 yd line.
2:40 p.m. - On first down, the Tommies are called for defensive pass interference. 1st down Auggies on the 49 yd line. Berg to Al-Hameed for a 12 yd completion. 1st down Auggies on the UST 27.
2:43 p.m. - It's going to be 3rd and 7 for the Auggies -- Berg is knocked down as he attemps the pass. 4th down -- The Auggies are going for it. Incomplete pass. Turnover on downs. St. Thomas will take over.
2:46 p.m. - St. Thomas takes a 57 yd run into the endzone for a touchdown. The extra point is good. The drive was 3 plays, 71 yds, 1:17. St. Thomas takes the lead at 14-7.
2:49 p.m. - Augsburg returns the kick out to the AUG 31.
2:51 p.m. - Winford makes a juggling catch over the middle for the Augsburg 1st down. The Auggies are on the 50 yd line with 8:20 left in the half. On first down, Berg is picked-off. St. Thomas will take over on its 46 yd line.
2:54 p.m. - After a short completion it will be 3rd and 6 for St. Thomas. 4th and one for the Tommies. On a run up the middle, St. Thomas has a 9 yd gain. 1st down Tommies on the AUG 24.
2:58 p.m. - On third down, Augsburg's Adam Ebert comes up with an interception. Augsburg will take over on their 36 yd line.
3 p.m. - After a stuffed run, an incompletion and a penalty the Auggies will have a 3rd and 15. Incomplete pass -- Augsburg will punt. St. Thomas returns the punt to midfield, 1st and 10 at the 50.
3:04 p.m. - 4th and 3 for the Tommies. They're going to punt. After a 35 yd punt, Augsburg will take over on their 8 yd line.
3:06 p.m. - After two completions to Winford, the Auggies have a first down. On first down, Potts has a nice run for another Auggie first down. 1st and 10 on the 27.
END OF THE 3RD QUARTER - St. Thomas 14, Augsburg 7. Augsburg has 250 yds of offense on 52 plays while the Tommies have 347 yds on 57 plays.
3:11 p.m. - Berg to Winford for a Auggie first down. It will be 1st and 10 on the AUG 43.
3:13 p.m. - Augsburg passes for another 1st down. The Auggies have a 3rd down and 2 on the 29 yd line. Berg to Winford for another Auggie 1st down. 1st and 10 on the UST 18 yd line.
3:16 p.m. - In a crazy play, Augsburg's Dan Brown comes up with the catch in the endzone for an Auggie TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is blocked. The drive was 13 plays, 92 yds. The score is now 14-13 St. Thomas.
3:18 p.m. - Augsburg goes for an onside kick - AUGGIES RECOVER! 1st and 10 on the AUG 41 yd line.
3:19 p.m. - Berg to Nourie for an Augsburg 1st down. 1st and 10 on the UST 48 yd line.
3:23 p.m. - Berg to Potts who has a nice run after the catch. 1st down Auggies on the UST 31.
3:24 p.m. - Berg to Winford for the 31 yd TOUCHDOWN! Penalty on the Auggies for excessive celebration. The penalty will be assessed on the extra point. Augsburg takes a timeout.
3:27 p.m. - The Auggies are going for the 2-pt conversion. No good. Auggies now lead the Tommies 19-14.
3:30 p.m. - After the Augsburg kick, St. Thomas will take over on their own 34 yd line. After two runs, St. Thomas has crossed mid-field and has a 1st and 10 on the AUG 46.
3:32 p.m. - St. Thomas - 3rd and 7 on the AUG 46 -- The Tommies run it up the middle for another 1st down. On first down, St. Thomas fumbles and the Auggies recover! 1st and 10 Augsburg on the AUG 37.
3:35 p.m. - Its going to be 4th and 3 for Augsburg on their 44 yd line. The Auggies will punt -- St. Thomas returns it out to the 29 yd line.
Sorry folks we lost internet there for a few minutes.
3:42 p.m. - St. Thomas has the ball, 2nd and 10 on the AUG 13. After a short run is 3rd and 4 on the 7 yd line. Augsburg takes a timeout.
3:44 p.m. - St. Thomas' Ben Wartman takes it in for the touchdown. The Tommies are going for the 2-point conversion - Winford intercepts it in the endzone -- 2-point conversion is no good. St. Thomas is up 20-19.
3:46 p.m. - Augsburg returns the St. Thomas kick out to the AUG 35 yd line. There is 1:50 remaining in the game.
3:47 p.m. - Berg to Winford for the Auggie 1st down. Gain of 19.
3:48 p.m. - Augsburg - 3rd and 3 on the 40 - Berg complete to Winford for the 1st down. 1st and 10 on the UST 34. The St. Thomas defense comes up with a big sack and forces the Auggies to take a timeout.
3:50 p.m. - Berg to Winford for another Auggie first down - gain of 19. 1st and 10 on the UST 22.
3:52 p.m. - Berg to Winford - gain of 14 - first down Augsburg!
3:53 p.m. - Berg to Winford - the Auggies are down to the one yd line! Timeout St. Thomas.
3:54 p.m. - Penalty - Offsides Augsburg. It will now be 2nd and 6.
3:55 p.m. - Augsburg has a short run. St. Thomas timeout. It's now 3rd and 5. The Auggies are attempting field goal - it's blocked by the Tommies. Auggies recover.
3:58 p.m. - The officials are meeting to discuss the situation.
3:58 p.m. - Auggie ball - Since Augsburg attempted a field goal on 3rd down, and recovered the field goal attempt, it's now 4th down and 16 for Augsburg. The Auggies will be attempting a 33 yd field goal. There is a short pause in the action while the St. Thomas coach talks to the officials.
4 p.m. - Augsburg is kicking a field goal -- IT'S GOOD! Auggies make a 34 yd field goal. That's a career long for Augsburg kicker Jack Christopherson. Augsburg takes a 22-20 lead with :12 seconds remaining.
4:03 p.m. - After a short line drive kick, St. Thomas will take over on their own 38 yd line. 11 seconds remaining. Incomplete pass. Timeout St. Thomas.
4:06 p.m. - It's another St. Thomas incomplete pass - that will end the game - AUGGIES WIN 22-20.
Final stats - Augsburg 444 yds on 79 plays. Berg was 34-58 passing for 403 yds. St. Thomas had 447 yds on 76 plays. The Tommies were 13-30 passing for 122 yds. St. Thomas had 325 yds rushing on 46 carries. The Auggies had 27 first downs in the game. With the win, Augsburg moves to 5-3 overall and 3-3 MIAC. The Tommies fall to 5-3 overall and 4-3 MIAC.
