Cavs defeat Knights in return to Delta Park
PORTLAND, Ore.—Making its first trip in almost three years to its former temporary home pitch at Delta Park, Concordia University defeated crosstown rival Warner Pacific College 2-0 in a Cascade Collegiate Conference men's soccer road match on Saturday night.
With the win Concordia improved to 3-2-0 on the season and 2-0-0 in CCC matches while Warner Pacific fell to 2-2-2 overall and an even 1-1-0 in league contests.
Concordia broke through in the 33rd minute as
Kevin Fischer (Stuttgart, Germany/Akademie für Kommunikation) planted a mid-ranged strike from the right side into the net after receiving the feed from
Tucker Bufton (Portland, Ore./Grant H.S.).
The Cavs outshot Warner Pacific 9-2 in the first half but could not add to its cushion as WPC keeper Joe White came up with four big saves.
With Concordia failing to add to its tally, Warner Pacific generated several opportunities in the second half to even the score.
At the 5:57 mark, Mario Guizar rocketed a shot from 30 yards out that skipped off the top of the crossbar and a minute later unleashed an attempt from 22 yards out where CU goalkeeper
Arne Niermann (Lippstadt, Germany/Privates Gymnasium Marienschule) came up with a diving save.
"It was a game of missed opportunities," CU head coach
Dan Birkey said. "Our attack looked slow and lackluster in trying to find that second goal. That kept them in the game and if you don't keep your concentration in this blue-collar conference, teams are going to come back and bite you."
Finally, with 25 minutes in regulation Niermann needed a long run out of the 18-yard box to stuff a potential breakaway by the Knights and preserve the team's first shutout of the season.
The Cavs finally added its second goal with just eight seconds remaining when
Timur Zhividze (Bobrov, Russia/Evergreen H.S.) setup teammate
William Mecier (Boise, Idaho/Centennial H.S.) from the right side, giving Mecier a clear attempt steps away from the goal.
Niermann stopped a total of three shots in the win while White was credited with six total saves.
"Our backline of (Cody) Guthrie, (Sam) Carmichael, (Quinn) Sinser and (Ken) Bodzewski really made the difference in the game," Birkey said. "They didn't let much get by them and limited their clear chances at goal."
Concordia called Delta Park home for three seasons during the construction of Hilken Stadium. The last CU home game at Delta Park was a 4-0 win over the Knights on Oct. 29, 2011. Senior starter
Quinn Sinser (Bellevue, Wash./Eastside Catholic H.S.) is the lone remaining member of the 2011 club currently on the 2014 edition of the Cavaliers.
Wrapping up a three-match road swing, the Cavaliers will play at College of Idaho n Sept. 23 before three straight home matches, beginning with a Sept. 27 tilt against Northwest University.
"C of I got a big win tonight and is a team that is on a roll. When it's this early and teams are still putting stakes in the ground for their season, that is going to be a tough place to play," Birkey said.
Warner Pacific will play its first CCC road match of the season by traveling to face Oregon Tech on Sept. 23 in Klamath Falls.