Another 84th-Minute Heartbreak

ST. PAUL, Minn. (9/25/13)—Concordia allowed the game-winning goal in the 84^th minute for the second consecutive game to start the MIAC season and lost 2-1 at St. Thomas. The margin of victory for the Tommies proved to be a penalty kick call at 83:58.

The late-game loss to a 2012 MIAC playoff team follows directly on the heels of a late-game loss at defending co-champion Gustavus on Saturday. Against the Gusties, Concordia was whistled for a foul just outside the penalty area and then the Gusties scored on the ensuing play from the restart.

Against St. Thomas on Wednesday, Concordia was whistled for a sliding tackle inside the penalty area and the converted spot kick gave St. Thomas the win.

The Tommies controlled much of the first half and had the ball in the Cobber end but each St. Thomas chance was met with pressure from the Concordia defense and no shot opportunity went uncontested.
Both teams had chances to score in the opening 45 minutes of play but neither could come up with the opening goal of the game.

The game changed less than five minutes after the break when St. Thomas scored after a goalmouth scramble. Tommie All-Conference forward Nick Rapisarda broke free on the left wing, fired a shot towards the CC net which was turned aside by Cobber keeper Peter Runquist. However, the scramble for the loose ball wound up back on the foot of Rapisarda who hammered a shot towards the lower right corner. The ball just crossed the line before CC defender Michael Forston had a chance to clear it away from goal.

Concordia's response was swift and set the game back at an even pace. Freshman midfielder Sage Thornbrugh received possession of the ball deep in CC territory. He dribbled the ball towards the midline and then threaded a ball through the UST defense. Senior forward Brett Wegleitner met the ball just before the St. Thomas keeper and was able to poke it by the goalie and into the open net.

The goal at 52:16 was Wegleitner's team-leading fourth of the season. It also kick started the Cobber offense and the game was played at a back-and-forth pace until the deciding strike in the final six minutes of play.

Runquist finished the game with six saves and left the game in the 83^rd minute with an injury. Freshman Ben Glogoza played the final seven minutes of the second half. UST keeper Mitchell Wolff stopped two shots.

Concordia will now host their MIAC home opener when they face St. Olaf on Saturday, Sept. 28 at noon.