Marquee Victory

In a weekend that had a lackluster beginning against Upper Iowa, Luther finished strong with a convincing victory over Macalester College, currently ranked 6th in the nation. This emerging Norse team showed resilience and passion as they overcame a sub-par game to perform well at home. Probably the best win for this program in several years, and certainly the most important win of any of the players or Coach Garcia-Prats short career, the victory against Macalester is certainly one to celebrate.
The weekend began with a trip down the road to Upper Iowa, Luther's in-region division II rival. Luther looked to build upon their thrilling 1-0 victory at home last year with a win at Fayette this year. On a beautiful pitch with loads of space for the Luther players to take advantage of their superior ability to move the ball, Luther was able to have the majority of possession throughout the game.
It was their inability to score that would prove costly on this night. While the back four of Luther kept the Peacock forwards grounded for most of the evening, the attack was unable to convert opportunity after opportunity in the final third. Luther was able to move the ball well but lacked the ability to connect their final ball and turn possession into dangerous chances. After several open shots in the box by a whole host of Luther attackers went unrewarded, the game looked headed to overtime.
Overtime proved to be more of the same, with Luther dominating possession but unable to punch one in to win the game. A glimmer of hope came when Michael Kustra earned a penalty in overtime as he was brought down in the box and Mike Olson stepped up to end the game. It was almost fitting when the shot sailed high, leaving the Norse scoreless all the way through overtime. It was a game reminiscent of the match against Viterbo, with Luther unable to turn their chances into goals.
The weekend was redeemed in full when the 6th ranked team in the nation came to town. After a solid 1-0 defeat of Macalester by the Luther women, the men were ready to match that victory with what outsiders would consider an upset. But after watching the game from last year, when Luther opened the 2009 campaign at Macalester and were able to come away with a tie, the Luther coaching staff new that despite their ranking, Macalester were beatable.
It didn't take long for the fun to begin when Michael Osmera won a tackle in the attacking third which gave him some room down the right sideline. He took a touch forward and served a great ball to a waiting Mark Fernandes, who was first to the ball on the near post and finished well to put Luther up 1-0 inside of the first minute.
Luther once again had the majority of the possession, while Macalester was really only dangerous through dead ball situations, where they were able to bring their big boys into the box and cause trouble for the Luther defenders. Adam Dane had an excellent game as he physically battled with the Macalester midfielders all game. Ten minutes after Luther's goal, a Macalester player hits a laser to the top corner after a poorly cleared corner kick and ties the score at 1.
Luther headed into half with their heads held high, knowing they could give more. Fifteen minutes into the second half, Dane played a great ball over the top to Fernandes, whose first touch put him 1v1 with the goalkeeper. As he lined up the shot he was tackled in the box by a Macalester defender earning him a read card. Saul Rosales stepped up to convert the penalty and eventual game winner to put Luther up 2-1. 12 minutes later, an awkward clearance by a ten-man Macalester turned into a forty yard shot on target and forced the goalkeeper to use his hands to stop the ball. It was ruled a pass back and Luther was awarded an indirect free-kick near the six yard box. The kick was taken low and hard and bounced off the Macalester defenders on the goal line and found its way to Mike Olson's feet. He was able to tuck the ball away the second time and secured a 3-1 lead for Luther.
When Mark Fernandes earned a questionable second yellow card, making the game a 10v10 affair, things were made a little more interesting as Macalester battled hard to get a result. The Luther defense held strong and were able to close out the game and knock off the number one team in the region.
The hard work of this team continues to impress, and they will only get better as some of these young players continue to get better with experience. Luther has earned 3 shutouts on the year as the back 4 and goalkeeper continue to do well. Goalkeeper Steve O'Meara's effort was rewarded as he was named Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Defensive Player of the Week.
Luther begins a difficult conference schedule this weekend when they play at Loras College, a perennial power in the IIAC. They follow that trip up with a trip up to Northfield on Sunday as they take on Carleton College. Let's hope they can build on the marquee victory and continue their winning ways.