Dubuque Debacle

When the rains came for two days prior to Saturday, Luther Soccer knew they were going to be in for a sloppy match. After dominating possession in the previous four games, Luther knew that a sloppy field would probably hurt their ability to keep the ball and defend with high pressure as they have all year. The newly seeded game field did not absorb much of the moisture and the boys were in for a sloppy one. After going up early on a great turn and finish in the box by Adam Pyzdrowski, Luther looked to start conference play out on a high note. Unfortunately, some quesitonable refereeing gave Dubuque a quickly taken free kick as well as a corner kick where a kid hit the shot of his life, and theNorse were left looking up at Dubuque 2-1.

Luther out shot Dubuque 17-9 and once again dominated possession, but at the end of the day they have to sieze their opportunities, which is something Luther has struggled with all year. If Alex Case's half volley is struck anywhere but right at the keeper in the first half, it is 2-1 Luther, who did not look likely to look back. If Luther gets a call on a suspect clearence off the Dubuque goal line on an Adam Dane header, or if Gui Castro puts away his 1v1 with the keeper in the second half, Luther take back the lead. But hindsight is 20-20 and should and could haves don't change anything. On a good note, the Luther Men gave a great effort that the coaching staff were pleased with. Everyone was left baffled at the end of the game as to how Luther could play so well and still not come away with a result. It comes down to small mistakes, little lapses in concentraiton that have been the difference all year for the Norse. They are doing their best to keep spirits high and continue to improve, which is all this young team has done. The Norse look to continue to improve this Saturday in a winnable contest with Cornell.

Luther Soccer Gives Back

Although it was an unfortunate weekend for Luther Soccer, the boys were in high spirits today as they headed out to work on a local Habitat For Humanity build. Although their coach may have signed them up for this service project, several of the guys cheerfully gave of there time in order to help a family in need here in Decorah. The team helped to dig a ditch that will soon hold the sidewalk for the house. They got to throw dirt on each other and get out some of their frustration about the weekend's less than ideal result. It was great to know that even after a tough loss, the team has not lost perspective on what really matters in life. It was nice to see the Luther Soccer family, a family that has been blessed by so many people, helping another family in need. We should be proud of their spirit, generosity, and kind hearts. Here are some action shots of the boys doing work.If you would like to learn more about Habitat For Humanity in general or locally here in Decorah, visit the Winnishiek County site here.

Family Weekend a Mixed Blessing

It was a roller-coaster weekend full of highs and lows for the Luther Norse. On an ideal Saturday afternoon, Luther played the Bethel University, who was off to their best start since 1997, at 5-1. After an all-too-familiar slow start, the half time score was 0-0 without many chances for either side. An admittedly boring game became much more exciting in the second half.
In the middle of what was most likely his best game of the year, Eric Johnson took an elbow to the cheek and went down deep in our defensive half. He ended up leaving the game and receiving twenty four stitches under the right eye. Later in the half, Luther received another blow when Alan Bedell picked up a straight red card for violent conduct and Luther was forced to play without two starters and down a man. For reasons unknown to the coaching staff, Luther decided to wait for all of this adversity to decide to play up to their potential. Austin Walther picked up his first collegiate goal off of a corner kick, and after a couple huge saves from goalkeeper Steve O'Meara, Adam Pyzdrowski and Jimmy Laroque picked up their first goals of the season on break-aways. The game finished 3-0 as Luther siezed opportunity and were able to score when they had chances. It was not their best performance but it was good to pick up another win in front of the families.
After a lovely banquet for the friends and families of Luther Soccer to honor our seniors on Saturday night, Luther was ready to continue their winning streak against Carleton on Sunday. Mark Fernandes and local product Jackson Stalberger played well in their first collegiate start and Luther probably played its best half of the year against Calreton, who was a sweet sixteen team in the national tournament last year. Luther saw much more of the ball but couldn't convert their chances. Even though Luther outshot Carleton 21-6, they could not find a way to score and ended up conceding a goal against the run of play with fifteen minutes to play when a Carleton player was first to a ball on the near post. Luther went to three in back in order to chase the game and ended up conceding another soft goal in a scrum infront of the net. Considering Luther did not have two of their starting defensive stand-outs, it was a good effort, but the team still has a lot to learn about finishing chances. They look forward to starting IIAC play this weekend against Dubuque on Saturday at home.

Sweet, Sweet Victory

On Friday night, the beauty of the weather here in Decorah, Iowa could only be matched by the beautiful effort put forth by the boys against Upper Iowa University. The start of the evening seemed ominous. We experienced some technical difficulties with the warm up tape and were forced to use the women's team mix which included both Miley Cyrus and Rascal Flats, which aren't exactly most guys' idea of a pump-up jam. But the show must go on, and did it ever.
Luther came out firing on all cylinders and getting after Upper Iowa from the start. They acheived a level of effort, enthusiasm and energy that has not been put forth so far this season. The boys won tackles, won headers, won second balls, and generally outworked their opponent. A gorgeous crowd of about 500 were there to cheer the boys on in their home opener, and the team seemed to feed off the infectious energy. Coach Garcia-Prats was heard after the game commenting on their scholarship program opponents, "With the way we played, I couldn't even tell you which of their players had scholarships." Luther was able to neutralize their opponents best players, one of which was former Luther player Jason Olsgard. With great games from Jimmy Laroque, Mike Olson, Adam Pyzdrwoski and Austin Walther, and the much needed to return of Alex Case to the midfield, Luther was able to come out on top for the first time this season.
Although the score line says 1-0 (a one-touch screamer to the back post from Adam Dane, Luther's leading scorer), a true fan will dig deeper and see that the game was not even that close. Luther outshot its opponent 25-4, and putting nine shots on goal to Upper Iowa's one. It was wonderful to see the boys work hard for each other, give of themselves for the team, and achieve the success that they deserve. Luther looks to continue its run of good play next weekend when they host Bethel and Carleton for Family Weekend here at Luther.

Heartbreaker in Northfield

The Luther Men's Soccer team had another tough road battle at St. Olaf College in Northfield Minnesota on Wednesday evening. After losing 3-2 to the Ollies in overtime last year, the improved Norse looked to get in the win column with a retributive victory at St. Olaf. It was a fairly even match, with the Norse seeing more of the ball but continuing to give away dangerous set pieces in their own half. St. Olaf did not look like they were going to score unless it was on one of these free kicks, unfortunately Luther did not look dangerous either. They played the first half 0-0 and it looked as if one goal would win the game.
Luther looked to take advantage of their increased depth and get on the board in the second half. When Saul Rosales beat two players just outside the box near the corner flag, it looked like a great chance until he was fouled. Ont he free kick, a great ball was played into the danger area but no Luther player was able to get on the end of it and St. Olaf made a quick counter attack. With the team forward for the free kick, our defenders were caught out and had to recover quickly. A missed clearence and a missed tackle and St. Olaf played the ball in behind our defenders. The St. Olaf forward beat our keeper to the ball and put a deft chip over his head and the Ollies had the goal that would end up winning the game.
This young Luther team still has a lot to learn, but the coaching staff are doing their best to keep spirits high and stay focused on what we are trying to do: that is develop soccer players and win. We open our 2009 home schedule Firday night at 7:00 PM against Division II Upper Iowa University, another tough opponent. The boys are no stranger to playing against athletic scholarship caliber programs, and hopefully the tough away schedule will pay off Friday night.

Luther Begins Season on a Learning Note

Well, it has been a three game whirlwind to start the Luther season, and the boys find themselves back at home after a tough trip to Chicago. The Norse began the season with a result on the road against Macalester college. The boys out-played a team Luther lost to last year 2-0 and ended up with a nil-nil tie. Adam Dane and Adam Pyzdrowski each had chances where they were in behind the defense with only the keeper to beat, but they were unable to put Luther on the board. While not completely satisfied with the result, Luther defended well and worked hard. They looked to repeat the effort on their travels to Chicago.
It was Wheaton's season opener under the lights in front of 1200 screaming fans, and Luther was understandably taken aback by one of the best soccer atmospheres in the country. Nationally ranked #23, Wheaton came out firing on all cylinders and it was not long before the Norse were down 2-0. Just when things were settling down, Wheaton put two more in the back of the net right before the half. But when Luther could have hung their heads and just waited for the game to be over, they came out ready to play in the second half. It was a completely different team in the second half, as the Norse were physical, worked hard, and ended up out shooting Wheaton 8-3 in the second half. It was a great recovery for a young team in a hostile environment.
The second game began just 17 hours after the first one had started, and Luther was noticeably tired. They were up against Judson University, a scholarship program out of Chicago with a roster with nationalities that read like Chelsea or Liverpool. With Brazilians, Germans, Dutch, and Haitians dotting the line-up, Luther was in for another battle. They played the first half 0-0, but then Adam Dane opened scoring for the 2009 squad when he received a ball on top of the box, beat a player and bent a left footed shot into the far side-netting. Unfortunately, the Norse were unable to hold off the offensive melee that followed and gave up two quick goals. After chasing the game by moving a defender into the midfield, Luther ended up dropping the game 3-1.
The young 2009 squad has consistently played 4 first-years, 6 sophomores, and two seniors this year and clearly has a lot to learn. They look to improve with a winnable game at St. Olaf on Wednesday.