MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Occidental fell to #2 Augsburg 3-1 on Saturday at Edor Nelson Field in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers finished the season with their second trip to the national tournament in three seasons and a 10-6-4 record.
Occidental's lone goal came in the second half, a result of sustained offensive pressure that saw them register 14 shots in the period. Augsburg capitalized on their efficiency, scoring twice in the first half and adding another goal after the break to secure the win.
Oxy established itself early in the Augsburg defensive third, highlighted by
Cooper Gersch's shot in the sixth minute, which was saved by the Auggie's Christian Hodges who made eight saves.
Vicente Navarro and
Ayden Rieke-Wey also generated scoring opportunities, but could not convert as Navarro's attempt missed wide and Rieke-Wey struck the top woodwork.
Despite these efforts, Augsburg capitalized first when Mitchel Munzing scored in the 16th minute, assisted by Diego Veit. Just over nine minutes later, Munzing found the net again to extend Augsburg's lead. Occidental continued to press, with shots from
Joshua Hamlett and
Ethan Carr narrowly missing the goal. As the half concluded, Occidental trailed 2-0.
The second half began with Occidental making an early push, as
Eddie Siladie and
Devin Bening both generated shot opportunities within the first three minutes. However, Augsburg capitalized on their corner kicks when Carver Tierney scored in the 52nd minute, assisted by Christopher Plaza Alvarado and Joseph Swallen, extending their lead to 3-0, putting the game well out of reach.
Tyler Na-Nakornpanom finished off his career with a goal and assist from fellow senior
Justin Nishimoto in the 77th to get the Tigers on the board, but by then the Auggies had closed the door on any potential Oxy comeback.
Occidental Top Performers Â
Tyler Na-Nakornpanom Â
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- one goal Â
- three shots Â
- two shots on goal Â
Devin Bening Â
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- four shots Â
- one shot on goal Â
Justin Nishimoto Â
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- one assist Â
- one shot Â
Augsburg moved on to defeat Edgewood 1-0 in the round of 32 and will face SUNY Cortland in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in St. Louis on Saturday, November 22.
