Lynch's golden goal drives Stars into Elite Eight
DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Freshman Andy Lynch (Hawthorn Woods, Ill.) notched his first collegiate-career goal in the 100th minute of play to push the Dominican University Stars past the Loras College Duhawks and into the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship on Saturday evening.

The Stars and Duhawks played to a scoreless tie through 90 minutes with Dominican outshooting Loras 12-7 in regulation and holding a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks. In the overtime period the Stars managed two shots, creating the game's lone score off the team's only corner kick opportunity in the extra period.

Sophomore goalkeeper Maxwell Gutbrod (Slinger, Wis.), getting his second straight start in goal for the Stars, picked up the shutout victory. Gutbrod logged two saves on the evening, including a diving save in the 26th minute to keep the score tied at 0-0 after the Stars dominated the opening 25 minutes of play.

"Our players executed the game plan perfectly," commented Baumann. "They are a very dangerous offensive team and our boys knew their assignments defensively and never slipped up."

The Stars shut down Loras' Miguel Bonilla, who was ranked 14th in the nation in goals per game entering Saturday's match; not allowing a single shot from the 5'10" junior. Santiago Mejia, the Duhawks' second leading scorer (7 goals, 16 assists), managed just two shots, none on goal.

"I'm proud of our guys," said Baumann. "They prepared hard and stayed focused on the challenge of chasing a shutout."

Baumann and the Stars will now face the Whitworth University Pirates who topped Hardin-Simmons 1-0 in the second sectional semifinal matchup at Loras. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon in the Rock Bowl at Loras College.

Courtesy of Dominican University, Sports Information Department, November 21, 2009.