Extra Session Excitement - Mustangs topple Concordia

SEWARD, NEB. – Freshman defender Logan Abernathy (FR/Lees Summit, Mo.) (Lees Summit, Mo.) had a night to remember Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Her penalty kick goal, which eluded Concordia University netminder Lindsey Carley with less than four minutes remaining in the second overtime, broke up three-plus-seasons of frustration for the Mustangs against the Bulldogs. The 1-0 Great Plains Athletic Conference decision at CU's Bulldog Stadium was just the second on the road for head coach Tom Maxon's squad in the series and the first overall plus since 2015.

"It was about as even a match as you could have," Mside's head coach said. "Both teams had phases where they were better than the other, so plenty of ebb and flow … a lot of excitement with great saves, near misses, and strong play."

After 106 minutes and 29 seconds of tightly-contested, scoreless play, a penalty in the box with sophomore midfielder Makenzie Homan (SO/Omaha, NE) (Omaha, Neb.) on the doorstep of a possible decider was drug down, creating a penalty kick opportunity. The ensuing score, Abernathy's second of the year and first game-winner, aided a brilliant effort in net by sophomore Sarah Finn (SO/Tampa, FL) (Tampa, Fla.) who knocked away ten home shot tries on frame, a new single-match personal best and the first double-digit total for a Maroon keeper since last September.

"We had quite a meeting to decide who was going to take it," Maxon reflected. "We hadn't practiced it yet. Logan stepped right up and got it past their keeper.

Both teams worked super hard," he added. "This is a huge victory for us. It keeps us in the postseason tournament picture with two more big matches to come this week."

Morningside (5-7 overall, 3-3 GPAC) travels to Dordt University in Sioux City Saturday, Oct. 19, for a 1 p.m. match-up and then goes to the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Neb., Sunday, Oct. 20, for the make-up of a previously postponed match, which will begin at 3 p.m.