University of St. Thomas Athletics
8-6-1, 3-3-1MIAC
Saint John's
7-6-0, 4-3-0MIAC
Men's soccer drops heartbreaker to Saint John's
10/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
ST. PAUL - The St. Thomas men's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking loss to Saint John's University on Wednesday evening at South Field. The Tommies held a 1-0 lead at the half, but could not hold on in the final 45 minutes in the narrow loss. With Wednesday's result, UST drops to 8-6-1 overall and 3-3-1 in the MIAC, while the Johnnies improve to 7-6-0 overall and 4-3-0 in league play.
St. Thomas got on the scoreboard first in the ninth minute of the game when Johnny Mulvahill finished off a header to give his team the early 1-0 advantage. Mulvahill found the end of a Mark Heydt corner kick and buried it to notch his second goal of the season.
The goal was the lone score in a first half that saw just three shots on goal between the two teams. St. Thomas placed two shots on net compared to just one for Saint John's. UST also held the advantage in total shots with a mark of 4-3.
Saint John's opened the scoring in the second half when Rocky Harmon scored his second goal of the year in the 53rd minute. Harmon took a left-footed shot from the top of the box that skipped along the turn and into the lower left corner of the net to even the score 1-1. Robert Deetz was credited with the assist.
Less than four minutes later, the Johnnies took the lead thanks to a goal by Dylan Lehrer. Cole Howard started the play with a long throw in from the sideline into the box where Lehrer leaped and headed the ball into the back of the net to put his team in front 2-1.
St. Thomas answered 12 minutes later in the 69th minute. Miles Stockman-Willis drew a penalty in the box, giving him a penalty kick. After his original chance was saved by Johnnie goalkeeper Kevin Lebahn, Stockman-Willis cleaned up the rebound and put it away to tie the game.
Saint John's wasted little time responding, scoring just over four minutes later to take the lead for good. Paul Wageman sent a cross in front and, after a touch from Robert Deetz, Alex Niederich put it away with a drive from the top of the box to give his team a 3-2 lead.
With their backs against the wall, the Tommies were able to create one final scoring opportunity in the final minutes. A header chance popped up over the outstretched arm of Lebahn and appeared to be headed for the goal, but bounced off the post and denied St. Thomas the equalizer.
In the end, Saint John's held an 11-6 shot advantage, including a 5-4 mark in shots on target. UST gained eight corner kicks compared to five for Saint John's, but could not capitalize in the loss.
St. Thomas keeper Mitchell Wolff went the distance, making a pair of saves in the loss. He now moves to 7-4-1 on the year. Lebahn also made two saves and improves to 6-6-0.
The Tommies will have 10 days until their next contest on Saturday, Oct. 25th when they host St. Olaf College on South Field. That game is set for a 1:00 p.m., kickoff.
Team Stats
Johnny Mulvahill (2)
Assisted By: Mark Heydt
Off of cornerkick
8:46
Rocky Harmon (2)
Assisted By: Robert Deetz , Paul Wageman
GOAL by Saint John's Univ. Rocky Harmon, Assist by Robert Deetz and Paul Wageman, goal number 2 for season.
52:41
Dylan Lehrer (2)
Assisted By: Cole Howard
Header off of throw in
56:25
Miles StockmanWillis (6)
Rebound off of free kick
68:10
Alex Niederloh (2)
Assisted By: Paul Wageman , Robert Deetz
Cross in front, top of box
72:18
