Playing a majority of the match a man down, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's soccer team dropped their season opener 2-1 to Augsburg University Friday evening at Fiskum Field in Whitewater.
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In the ninth minute of the match, Augsburg was whistled for a penalty in the box resulting in a penalty kick for the Warhawks. Senior captain
Jack Wirth (Pewaukee, Wis./Pewaukee) put UW-W on the right side of the scoreboard when he ripped the ball past the keeper.
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Junior goalkeeper
Toney Anderson (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) preserved the Warhawk lead when he made a diving save on a free kick just outside the 18-yard mark 17 minutes later.
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With less than seven minutes to go in the half, freshman forward
Jalen Holley (Milwaukee, Wis./Wauwatosa East) was chasing down a ball headed toward the goal when he collided with the keeper. He was administered a red card and the Warhawks were forced to play the remainder of the match with ten players.
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Playing a player down made marking set pieces difficult for the Warhawks, and Augsburg capitalized.
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The Auggies scored on a corner in the 56th minute and a free kick in the 68th minute to take a 2-1 lead.
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UW-W had a chance in the 76th minute when
Henry Raymonds (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield East) put a shot on goal, but Auggie keeper Zachary Berg made the save.
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Kyle Clancy (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) gave the Warhawks once last chance with a solid corner in the final minute of the match, but the ensuing header by
Jake Santellano (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) was saved by Berg.
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UW-W outshot Augsburg 9-6 in the match and registered four shots on goal to the Auggies' three.
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The Warhawks will hit the road in search of their first win when they play Olivet College on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Olivet, Michigan.
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