ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – For the first time in its three-year history, the Viking-Warhawk Cup will be headed north of the border after Wisconsin-Whitewater defeated Augustana 2-1
Junior Matt Allen collects a pass
from Salah Aghlaf just before
scoring Augustana's only goal
in a 2-1 loss to UW-Whitewater
Sunday at Thoson-Lucken Field.
Sunday night at Thorson-Lucken Field. Coach
Mick Regan's Vikings end the year with a 5-12 record, while the Warhawks improved to 12-5-1 on the season.
It was the hosts who jumped on top in the ninth minute. Junior
Salah Aghlaf (Casablanca, Morocco) made a nifty crossover near midfield and fed a long pass ahead to a streaking
Matthew Allen (Batavia HS, Batavia, Ill.), who beat UWW keeper Toney Anderson to make it 1-0. The goal was Allen's first of the year and Aghalf was credited with his team-leading third assist.
In the 33rd minute, junior keeper
Jeremy Klaber (Stevenson HS, Buffalo Grove, Ill.) made a big play, turning away Jack Wirth's penalty kick to preserve the lead. It lasted just two more minutes though, as Brad Ludwig tallied the equalizer off a Hozai Ceballos throw-in in minute 35.
The sides went to intermission tied at 1-1. UWW had advantages of 17-3 in shots and 8-2 in corners in the first 45 minutes.
A chippy second half saw five yellow cards issued, including a pair to Aghlaf, who exited in the 58th minute. Finally in the 80th, the Warhawks got the go-ahead goal. The Vikings were able to punch away Kyle Clancy's corner, but couldn't clear it completely and UWW's Kevin Mesich took advantage. Mesich collected the loose ball and fired a low shot through considerable traffic inside the left post.
The visitors were able to run out the remainder of the clock, as neither side got a shot off in the final 10 minutes.
Whitewater put 15 of its 27 shots on frame to just three of eight for Augustana. The Warhawks took 10 corners to the Vikings' two and where whistled for 20 fouls to 14 for the hosts.
Klaber recorded a season-high 13 saves, while Anderson had two for the Warhawks.
