Yellowjackets score late to down Dubuque, pick up weekend split

Brian Grand scored the game-winner in the 84th minute for UW-Superior.

Box Score

Superior 2, Dubuque 1

After suffering a frustrating setback in their season opener on Friday evening, the UW-Superior men's soccer team entered Saturday's contest with the Dubuque Spartans looking for a better showing.

The Yellowjackets got just that, generating more offensive chances in a contest that featured plenty of opportunities for both sides. Thankfully, all that extra offense led to a positive result as UW-Superior got goals from Gio Rodriguez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Los Osos) and Brian Grand (North Branch, Minn./North Branch) to gain a split for the weekend in a 2-1 win over the Spartans in Elmhurst, Ill.

From the opening kick, UW-Superior (1-1) displayed a more aggressive approach, piling up six shots in the opening 45 minutes. The Spartans (1-1), who won their season opener against Concordia (Wis.) on Friday, also took six shots as the two sides headed to halftime scoreless.

The Yellowjackets broke through at the 61:07 mark as Rodriguez picked up a loose ball and fired a shot past Dubuque goal tender Jose Rezendiz from 10 yards out for UW-Superior's first marker of the season and a 1-0 advantage.

UW-Superior's edge didn't last long as the Spartans equalized just 3:27 later when Leo Lenth tucked a shot inside the left post at 64:34 to even matters 1-1.

From there, the two teams traded goal scoring opportunities without success.

The Yellowjackets finally forged ahead in the final 10 minutes as Grand, who led UW-Superior with five shots for the match, scored his first goal of the season on a shot from 17 yards out for a 2-1 lead at the 83:54 mark.

Dubuque never generated another quality scoring chance as UW-Superior held on behind net minder Zach Harwerth (Anoka, Minn./Anoka), who made seven saves in picking up the victory.

For the game, Dubuque held a 16-14 edge in shots, including 8-5 in shots on goal. Rezendiz took the loss in goal for the Spartans with three saves.

The Yellowjackets return to action on Friday as they hit the road to take on Concordia-Moorhead in a nonconference matchup. Opening kickoff in Moorhead, Minn. Is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Print Friendly Version