(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's soccer kicked off WHAC conference play when they hosted Cornerstone on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals entered the contest 2-5 overall while the Golden Eagles came in 1-5-1 on the year. The game went to overtime and Anthony Tucker (SR/Canton, MI) would be the hero for CUAA, finishing off a comeback from a 2-0 deficit to earn a 3-2 victory.
Spencer Ward (SR/Rochester, MI) started in goal for Concordia and played a complete game, making 6 saves. The Cardinals threatened early in the contest with corner kick opportunities, but the Golden Eagles scored first to take a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute. Anthony Tucker took 3 of his team-leading 7 shots on goal in the last 16 minutes of the half, but the Cardinals trailed 1-0 at halftime.
Spencer Ward made 2 more saves in the first 7 minutes of the 2nd half, but Cornerstone scored in the 53rd minute to go up 2-0. Concordia broke the shutout less than 3 minutes later on an unassisted goal by Daniel Lynch (SR/Brampton, Ontario). Lynch ran from the left side of the net and fired a shot that slipped past the goalie on the near post, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Cardinals continued to attack the net as the 2nd half went on. Concordia tied the game in the 83rd minute when Christian Margilaj (SO/Clinton Twp, MI) scored off an assist from Tanguy Flachez (JR/Lyon, France). Flachez took a corner kick and Margilaj perfectly directed a header to the left side of the goal. The game headed to overtime with the score tied 2-2.
It looked as though the game might require a second overtime, but with just 25 seconds remaining Anthony Tucker scored the game-winning goal. Tucker tapped a low shot from the left side of the net that went through the defender's legs and beat the goalie on the far post, securing the 3-2 win.
Concordia improves to 3-5 overall and starts 1-0 in WHAC conference play. The Cardinals will remain at home on Wednesday, October 2 when they host Madonna. The game is set to begin at 1pm.
