Playing its third match in as many days, Cornell’s men’s soccer team ran out of steam in the second half of Sunday’s 4-0 home loss to American Rivers Conference foe Wartburg.
The Rams finished the season-opening stretch with one win, one tie and one loss.
Cornell hung tough for one half against the talented Knights, who extended their regular-season unbeaten streak to 13 matches. The teams were scoreless through 48 minutes of action before Wartburg finally broke through.
The Knights registered all four goals during a 16-minute span in the second half, proving to be the difference on the scoreboard.
Cornell starting goalkeeper Floris Huiskers recorded nine saves. Jeremy Spina worked 14 scoreless minutes in relief.
First-year Sam Burmeister accounted for two of Cornell’s four shot attempts, including one on goal. The Knights fired 25 total shots and held an 8-1 advantage in corner kick chances.
Earlier in the weekend, the men had a 2-1 win against Minnesota-Morris in their home opener at the Cornell Soccer Field.
With a suffocating defense, the Rams held the Cougars scoreless through one half. The Rams allowed eight shots total with only 2 being on goal while drawing 12 fouls.
The Rams took advantage of their opportunities and scored twice in the first half on Burmeister’s goal at the 25-minute mark off a penalty shot and junior Gaurab Khadka came off the bench and scored at the 40-mark.
Burmeister has scored a goal in back-to-back games for the Rams to lead the team.
Sophomore Floris Huiskers, in 90 minutes, allowed only one goal while collecting one save. He faced eight shots with two on goal.
Cornell also drew to a tie against Luther in a road game Friday.
Burmeister scored his first career goal in the first half at the 17th-minute mark. A Ram’s cross intended for Burmeister allowed him a penalty shot. His penalty shot was good in the left bottom corner and it tied the game up 1-1 for the Rams.
After letting up only one goal in the first half, the Rams held the Norse scoreless through 45 minutes, which 12 shots and 6 corners from the Norse.
Lerch finished with one shot and Freshman Fox Wight had two, including one on goal.
Huiskers allowed one goal on 29 shots faced. Huiskers secured five saves in 90 minutes for the Rams.
Cornell mens soccer take win, loss, tie in opening weekend
September 7, 2023