Published: October 05, 2008 11:59 pm      

Cougars rally for eighth win

When the chips are down, Mountain State University rises to the occasion.

The Cougars earned their second come-from-behind victory in the last three days Sunday, scoring two goals in the final 25 minutes to down Concord University 3-2 at Paul Cline Stadium.

On Friday, MSU stopped WVU-Potomac State 2-1 with another brace of second-half goals.

“When our backs are to the wall, we start putting goals in,” coach John Birkelbach said. “It says a lot about the heart and character of my team.”

MSU (8-4) led Concord 1-0 midway through the first half on a goal by Charlot Nacius. In fact, the Cougars dominated the first 44 1/2 minutes.

But an MSU player was called for a handball in the box, and Mountain Lion Zach Piekarski nailed the ensuing penalty kick to tie the game 30 seconds before halftime.

“The first half we were banging on the door, but we weren’t putting (the shots) away,” Birkelbach said. “That PK was a huge boost for them.”

Concord (4-7) stunned the Cougars in the 61st minute when Cody Light worked free in the left side of the box and drilled a shot past keeper Alex Cottle.

Slowly, MSU racheted the pressure back up on the Mountain Lions. Left back Fredson Jean came up for a goal in the 65th minute and midfielder Moussa Sidibe found the back of the net 11 minutes later. Both scores came off Nacius assists.

The game wasn’t over, however. Concord dominated in midfield the final 10 minutes and continually attacked.

Two great defensive plays by MSU sweeper Mauricio Pena averted goals, and a late shot by a Concord attacker went high over the net.

“The last 10 minutes we decided to play. The other 80, for whatever reason, it wasn’t that important,” Concord coach Steve Barrett said. “It was very frustrating.”

The Mountain Lions were coming off impressive 2-0 wins over Shepherd University and Southern Virginia University.

“We had some momentum, but we took a step backward,” Barrett said. “Mountain State pressured us and forced us into mistakes. They got the job done.”

Concord plays at Carson Newman on Tuesday.

MSU has big home games upcoming with KIAC foes Berea College (next Saturday) and Asbury College (Oct. 17).

“We win those, we win the conference championship,” Birkelbach said.

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