Cavs Blank Doane to Even Nebraska Road Trip
HASTINGS, Neb.—Facing nearly 60 minutes of play down a man on the field, the No. 11-ranked Concordia men's soccer team grinded out a 2-0 won over Doane College on Monday in a neutral match played at Hastings College.
With the win, Concordia moved to 2-1-0 on the season while Doane dropped to 0-4-0 on the year after playing a rugged opening stretch which featured contests against a pair of top 20 teams.
"This trip we asked a lot out of the guys in terms of adjustments, whether it be the travel, the temperature, or that Hastings is one of the toughest places to play in the country," CU head coach Dan Birkey said. "On Saturday, Hastings punished us with the small details and we felt we needed to correct our mistakes and get some of those things right against Doane."
Despite a two-goal lead with strikes from Sam Carmichael (Adelaide, Australia/Hallett Cove) in the 18th minute and a penalty kick conversion by Septi Danciu (Bristita, Romania/Evergreen H.S.) in the 28th minute, the Cavaliers had anything but as easy road to preserve the shutout and their second win of the season as Carmichael was sent off the field by the center referee in the 35th minute of play.
The penalty immediately proved beneficial for the Tigers as Doane came back to outshoot Concordia 6-1 in the second half of play, in contrast to a 7-4 edge for the Cavs in the opening half.
The CU defense, however, was up to the task as only one shot was recorded on goal which keeper Scott Gross (Gladstone, Ore./Gladstone H.S.) managed to repel the Jake Novak attempt at 58:28.
"It was a tough call on Carmichael so it turned out to be a really good test of skill for the guys," Birkey said. "It was a very pivotal game for Doane and I felt our work rate eventually broke their spirit."
Concordia will return home to host Willamette University on Sunday, Sept. 8. Opening kick is set for 2 p.m. at Tuominen Yard.