When soccer recruits visit Webster University, Men’s Soccer Head Coach Michael Siener brings them to the monitor in the University Center. It displays year-round highlights of Gorlok sports. Often, it shows senior forward Mike Wells heading in the game-winning, double-overtime goal against 11th-ranked Wartburg College at the beginning of last season. Moments after the goal, Wells’s teammates mobbed him in the corner in celebration in what was one of the greatest non-conference victories in Webster men’s soccer history.
“That moment, everyone forgets about playing time and who’s playing where and how much they are playing. Everybody is excited for each other,” Siener said.
On a Saturday evening in September 2014 at Soccer Park, the Gorloks entered the match 1-1 on the season. In the 34th minute, Knights senior midfielder Tyler Salzwedel was handed a red card, disqualifying him and giving the Gorloks a man advantage for the remaining part of the match. Salzwedel’s red was one of six cards issued within a 19-minute span. The Gorloks outshot Wartburg 5-4 in the first half but trailed 1-0 at halftime. Siener said during the practice sessions leading up to the match, that the Gorloks needed to keep it a one-goal game to give themselves a chance.
At the 70-minute mark, Webster scored the first of a pair of goals from forwards Alex Whalen and Dzani Delic and took a 2-1 lead. Minutes later, Wartburg tied the match 2-2 to send the game to overtime. Siener admitted the match was one of the most nerve-wracking matches he has been a part of as a player or a coach.
“Any time you get into the game like that, you feel the nerves a little bit,” Siener said.
Wartburg would eventually rebound from the loss and advance to the NCAA Division-III quarterfinal. The two schools are scheduled to have a rematch at Wartburg in 2015. When recruits see the video, Siener said the win gives them something to reflect on when they decide on a college.
“When they see us running over to the sideline, I hope they get excited,” Siener said.
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