(Ann Arbor, MI) Concordia Cardinals soccer team hosted their rival, Siena Heights, who beat the Cardinals last year 1-0, on Saturday September 30th at 1:00 p.m. and were able to get the win again beating the Cardinals by a score of 4-2. The Cardinals made it a game in the second half but weren't able to make the plays down the stretch to come away with the victory. With the loss it puts the Cardinals at 1-7-2 record and 0-2-1 in conference play for the season.
The first half started well for the Cardinals as they were able to gain the momentum early on. They had possession in Siena Heights territory for the majority of the first 10-15 minutes of the first half, getting the first two out of three shots on goal. After the first 15 minutes went by the Cardinals were not able to find much of a rhythm for the first half. The first half was a defensive battle with both teams not giving much to the offenses. Siena Heights was able to control the ball for the majority of the first half and had a couple of chances to put points on the board. However it was either Kyri Wixom the goal keeper, or Chandler Wilson on defense making big time stops on defense. There was one goal scored in the first half and it was by Siena Heights' Gaizka Zandio who was able to score a goal in the 18th minute after a couple of the tries just right before were blocked by Concordia. That was the only goal for the first half and it was 1-0 Siena Heights going into halftime.
As the second half began, the hard physical defensive game continued on for the beginning parts of the second half. The Cardinals were able to get a couple more opportunities early on, however they weren't able to cash any of them in. They finally were able to put one in after a great setup by Carter Kerbawy that put Evan Lock in great position for the goal in the 61st minute. Just when Concordia had the momentum back, Siena Heights answered with a quick goal right after in the same minute by Marcelo Rocha to gain the lead right back. After those two goals back-to-back the score was 2-1 Siena Heights. Concordia was finally able to get things going again in the 78th minute after a penalty that set up a penalty kick for Marcello Pinterpe. He was able to get it past Ricardo Moreno, the Siena Heights goalkeeper, to tie the game 2-2. Then about five minutes later Joseph Nwokoye was able to score in the 83rd minute to regain the lead 3-2 that would ultimately seal the game for Siena Heights. Near the end of the game four yellow cards handed out to Carl Pierce for Concordia and Joseph Nwokoye, Gustavo Lira, and Guilherme Damasio of Siena Heights. In the last minute of the game Kyri Wixom was given a foul after he slide tackled a Siena Heights player to save the goal that set up a penalty kick. That penalty kick was scored by Marcelo Rocha to finally put the game away and win it for Siena by a score of 4-2.
Concordia had ten total shots, fifteen fouls, one corner kick, four total saves and four yellow cards. For those ten shots only six of them were shots on goal and they were by Marcello Pinterpe who had two of them, while Ignacio Garcia, Evan Lock, Carter Kerbawy, and Tim Relou each had one. The two goals that were scored came from Lock and Pinterpe. Concordia also had one assist that came from Kerbawy. Kyri Wixom had four saves and allowed four goals with eight shots on goal.
Siena Heights had 19 total shots, 18 fouls, seven corner kicks, four total saves and Five yellow cards. Out of those shots only 8 of them were on shots on goal. The goals were scored by Rocha who had two of them, Zandio, and Nwokoye who each had one. Finally, Matheus Marrote was able to add one assist as well.
Concordia will continue its two game home stand when they host Cleary on Wednesday October 4th at 2:00 p.m..
