WAVERLY, Iowa – Junior Clemente Arcuch Puig netted his third goal in two games to start the season, but the No. 15-ranked St. Olaf College men's soccer team suffered a late 2-1 road loss to Wartburg College on Saturday afternoon at Salzwedel Field.
Arcuch Puig gave St. Olaf (1-1-0) a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute and the Oles took the 1-0 lead into the halftime break. Still trailing by a goal, Wartburg (1-0-1) got goals in the 69th and 89th minutes to overcome the halftime deficit and deal St. Olaf just its fourth loss in its last 25 games.
After netting two goals in the season-opening 7-0 win over Northland on Thursday, Arcuch Puig again opened the scoring for the Oles in the 29th minute, curling a right-footed shot inside the far post from near the top of the box. Junior Hakeem Morgan earned an assist on the goal after tallying a goal and an assist in the opener.
Wartburg capitalized on a set piece to tie the game in the 69th minute when Michael Dunn headed in a free kick from Payton Chapman to level the score at 1-1. With the game appearing to be headed for a tie, the Knights grabbed a late winner through Mitchell Dickson's goal with 1:38 remaining.
Both teams generated five shots on goal in the game, with St. Olaf holding a slender 14-12 advantage in shots. The Oles also had eight corner kicks compared to three for the Knights. Junior Austin Williams suffered the loss with a three-save afternoon, while Brennon Woody earned the win for Wartburg with four saves in the game.
St. Olaf looks to bounce back on Monday, Sept. 5 with a 1 p.m. home kickoff against Central College.