MEQUON, Wis. – David Mueller scored what might have been the most important goal of his career on Sunday afternoon, as he found the back of the net with three seconds to play to give Concordia University Wisconsin a stunning 8-7 non-conference victory over Whittier College.
The Poets' Maxwell Jones scored what everyone thought was the equalizer with 15 seconds to play, which tied the scoreboard at 7-7, and would have sent the game into overtime. However, the next 12 seconds were the most thrilling of the entire game. Junior Danny Bundra (Lake Zurich, Ill.) won the faceoff for the Falcons and the ground ball was picked up by junior Mark Wilson (Calgary, Alberta), who then went back into the defensive zone and passed to sophomore Benjamin Smith (Round Lake Beach, Ill.).
The ball was then flung nearly the entire length of the field and bounced several times before Mueller picked it up. He then ran toward Whittier goalkeeper Alex Cramer and shot high to send his teammates into euphoria with just three seconds remaining on the clock.
"I am proud of our team effort today on both ends of the field," head coach Michael Fahey said. "All-around we played well and a victory like this is important to this program and our confidence going forward."
It was a defensive battle for 45 minutes of play, as four goals were score by each team and a combined 24 turnovers were recorded. The fourth quarter was completely different with seven goals be tallied and 15 shots being registered.
Junior Marino Best (Naniamo, British Columbia) led the Falcons with three goals, while sophomore Colin Raley (Inverness, Ill.) and Mueller each found the back of the net twice. Junior Matt Garvey (Winnipeg, Mantioba) added a goal and assisted on two markers. CUW caused 10 of Whittier's 16 turnovers and three players forced a pair of errors. Junior Thomas Mueller (Prior Lake, Minn.) was superb in net, making nine saves and picking up a career-high-tying seven ground balls in a winning effort.
Jones paced the Poets offensive attack with a hat trick and Jonathan Kassity scored twice. Connor Sexton had a team-high six ground balls and Scott Prescheret was impressive in the faceoff circle winning 14-of-19 attempts.
The Falcons pushed ahead 2-1 after Raley scored the only man-up opportunity in the game, but the Poets responded with three unanswered goals to jump in front 4-2. CUW added a score with just under three minutes to play before halftime, which was part of three-consecutive goals that stretched into the fourth quarter.
With Whittier leading 6-5, it appeared as if CUW changed its offensive scheme and put Mueller in front of the net for quick-striking opportunities. If that was the game plan, it worked because he scored two of the final three goals in a come-from-behind victory.
Both teams were successful on the clear, with Whittier going 11-of-13 and CUW gaining successes on 16-of-18 chances. Early in the game shots on goal were heavily favored towards the Poets, but ended in a 16-15 advantage for them.
With the positive decision, CUW has now won four-straight games and five of its last six entering Wednesday's April Fools Midwest Lacrosse Conference game against Benedictine University at 4 pm at Fitting Field.
