Extra sessions thriller spotlights matinee split

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – A Great Plains Athletic Conference – Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader at Elwood Olsen Stadium gave fans in attendance their money's worth Sunday, Sept. 5.

As the clock ticked off the final precious minutes of a second overtime, head coach Tom Maxon's Morningside University's men's crew, needing a rebound victory in a big way after a season-opening 5-1 loss to William Penn University, got just that. A free kick from senior midfielder Noah Jorritsma (Leipzig, Germany) cleared the Wolves' defense packed around its net, and fellow senior midfielder Noah Aniser (Memmingen, Germany) took a pinball off home and visiting players alike and just managed to sneak it past the line for the winner.

The frantic finish enabled junior goalkeeper Bjarne Huth (Bad Vilbel, Germany) a well-deserved victory. Diving for four critical saves against Cardinal Stritch's potent offense, he forged a 107-minute, 49-second shutout, the sixth of his career. Junior forward Robin Thomala (Wipshausen, Germany) added his name to the leader's list with four total shots.

Visiting Cardinal Stritch College's women, ranked among the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' preseason top 25, received a stern test from the Mustangs to open the afternoon. Despite a first-half score from the visitors, Mside did its level best to level the scoreboard throughout the 90 minutes. 

The best chance to tie things up came off the head of junior midfielder Samantha O'Roy (Antelope, Calif.). With less than 10 minutes remaining, she took a free kick and lifted it squarely at the top of Cardinal Stritch's goal. The ball ricocheted off the bar, hit the ground, and cleared away, allowing the Wolves to escape with the 1-0 decision. Freshman midfielder Victoria Stausholm (Esbjerg, Denmark) also attempted to give senior netminder Sarah Finn (Tampa, Fla.) a better fate after four saves in the face of five visiting shot on goal attempts. However, Stausholm's two strikes on frame were turned away.

Morningside winds up a season-opening three-match home set Wednesday, Sept. 8. Bellevue University is the Mustangs' guest for a 5:30 p.m. women's and 8 p.m. men's twin bill.