MADISON, Wis. – It would have been really easy for the Edgewood College men's soccer team to quit on Sunday's game against Cornell College. The Eagles had fallen behind 5-0 and were forced to play a man short after a red card in the 38th minute. However, the Eagles showed a tremendous amount of heart scoring three second half goals before ultimately losing 6-3 to the Rams on Senior Day.
Cornell College (6-4-3) got on the board early with a fantastic move on the dribble from Facundo Benavidez. He scored the first of his three on the day for a 1-0 Rams lead in the ninth minute. The game really turned in the 38th minute. Edgewood College (6-8) goalkeeper Brandyn Storhoff came out to cover a loose ball near the top of the box, but didn't secure it. Benavidez tried to gather the ball, but Storhoff made contact with him as tried to regain control. After a lengthy discussion with the assistant referee, the referee deemed the Storhoff had fouled Benavidez denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Storhoff was given a red card, the Eagles were forced to play with 10 men for the rest of the match, and Benavidez scored the ensuing penalty kick for a 2-0 lead.
Cornell College added three goals in the first 17 minutes of the second half for a commanding 5-0 lead. From that point on, however, the Eagles found new life. In the 69th minute, despite being shorthanded, Edgewood College scored twice in a span of 58 seconds, to cut the margin to 5-2. For the first goal Zander Rothering headed a Rams goal kick back toward the middle, where Zach Jaske ran onto it, and scored a hard shot into the lower left corner. Then before anyone had a chance to settle back into their seats, Tenzing Tamdin picked off a pass, slid it through to Rothering who slammed it home for the Eagles' second goal.
Rothering created the Eagles third opportunity as well. In the 84th minute, he attacked hard on the dribble down the left wing and was pulled down in the penalty area for a penalty shot. Senior Jesse Greenwood stepped up and converted the penalty kick to make the score 5-3. As the Eagles continued to try and press their momentum, Cornell College added one final goal in the 89th minute.
Edgewood College actually ended up outshooting Cornell 12-7 in the second half, and 20-16 for the contest. Storhoff had two saves, and his replacement Ethan Schneider had one save.
Edgewood College will return to action on Tuesday with an afternoon match at Beloit College. The Eagles and Bucs will kickoff at 4:00 p.m. in a non-conference match at the Strong Complex in Beloit.
