Box Score (Fond du Lac, WI) - Marian University gave conference leader, Concordia University-Wisconsin all they could handle on Wednesday evening, but a miscue late in the first half cost the Sabres. Concordia ended up winning 1-0 to stay perfect in the Northern Athletics Conference. They moved to 9-2-2 overall and 5-0-0 in the NAC. Marian is now 4-7-1 and 1-4-1 in the NAC.
The Sabres cleared the ball with about :15 remaining in the first period, but the Falcon goalkeeper came up to the midfield and sent one flying toward the Marian goal. After a misplay defensively, Concordia's Victor Mendoza sent one to the back of the net with :10 remaining.
Mendoza's goal was all the Falcons needed as they allowed Marian just three shots in the second half.
The Falcons out shot Marian 22-6 in the contest and put eleven of their shots on goal.
Marian's Nick Henkemeyer (Prior Lake, MN) kept Marian in the game as he recorded nine saves.
Coach Peltonen's comments
“ Another tough loss to a very solid CUW team. They didn't come into our game 8-2-2 and 4-0 in the NAC for no reason. We started off tentative, but weathered the storm. We got our legs and confidence and started to put some things together as the half wore on. Lupe Hernandez not only got a shot off from 12 yards out in the center of the goal, but had a touch to set it up. Unfortunately, the CUW keeper got a hand on his shot to deflect it over the goal. We had a run for a while with 3 or 4 corners and the game was an even give and take between the teams. CUW ramped it up a notch right at the end of the half and we didn't deal with a clearance well and they scored the only goal of the game with 10 seconds left on the clock in the first half. Coaches (or media pundits) talk about how demoralizing a goal can be at that time in a game, but going in 1-0 at half whether the goal was scored in the 15th minute or the 44th minute, it's really the same, you're 1-0 down and need to get back into it.”
“The 2nd half was more of the same, although CUW had a few good scoring opportunities, but our keeper Nick Henkemeyer was always there for the challenge. We didn't have any quality chances that I can remember. The biggest thing we have to overcome is not giving the ball to the other team so often. More of CUW's attack was creating off our passes to back to them. We need to do a better job of connecting passes, receiving the ball away from pressure, and/or clearing the ball more effectively. I honestly believe we have some great potential to finish the season strong but it's going to take an excellent effort and consistent play from all our players. There are no easy games this year in the NAC.”
"A game ball goes to Nick Henkemeyer for his very solid play in goal."
