Ann Arbor, MI — Just 48 hours after a season-opening defeat in which Goshen head coach Thavisith Mounsithiraj called his team “completely lost at times,” the Leafs put up a remarkably better performance Thursday night at Concordia University.

Unfortunately, the squad didn’t get the same effort from the officiating crew.

After an aggressive, disciplined game plan appeared to leave Goshen (0-2, 0-0) in a scoreless tie with the host Cardinals, it was a blown off-sides call that helped the hosts to a melodramatic, that-didn’t-just-happen goal with eight seconds remaining in regulation to steal the win. For Mounsithiraj, the shocking conclusion wasn’t enough to lose focus on the positives of the afternoon, however.

“I thought we played much better today,” Mounsithiraj said in comparing his team’s play to its 6-0 loss to Judson College on Tuesday evening (click here for recap). “We kept our shape well and didn’t get stretched out defensively. Concordia was bigger and more physical, but we did an excellent job of containing them.”

Perhaps a large part of the Leafs’ improved play came as a direct result of a significant lineup change, as Mounsithiraj and staff made several adjustments. Sophmore Amy Clem — possibly the lone star of Goshen’s season-opening contest — was inserted into the starting defensive backfield while junior Mary Jo Martin moved up from defender to an outside midfield position. Classmate Lucy Roth, in turn, went from midfield to forward, while Sara Groff took over central midfield positioning and freshman Liz Nafziger occupied the stopper position. The result was better control of the ball and more direct passing, according to Mounsithiraj.

“Our lineup change was a big key for us today,” Mounsithiraj said. “Amy Clem continues to be one of our most aggressive defenders and does not back down from anyone. Liz Nafziger was effective as our stopper tonight both defensively and she was able to win many balls and get things started from the back and from the middle of the field. Mary Jo Martin had a very good overall game, as she was able to use her speed and get to several balls up the sideline. Sara Groff was able to be more physical and distribute the ball at the central midfield slot, while we really liked what Lucy Roth and (freshman) Kaylee Pichardo were able to do together up front. They were able to work off each other and create some chances.”

Still, Goshen was held scoreless for the second time in as many games, as the team’s best chances came off two headers from Roth — both of which caromed off the crossbar. Pichardo had an open look in the second half, but her shot sailed wide of the goal.

Concordia, meanwhile, was neutralized by aggressive play from the Leafs’ backfield, a trait vastly missing in Tuesday’s loss to Judson. After a slow start from Goshen Thursday, Mounsithiraj said his team then began to settle in and challenge 50-50 balls, with the team’s passing improving by the minute.

“In the first half our passing within small areas was very effective but we were losing the long balls,” Mounsithiraj said. “Midway through the second half we started making more accurate passes for Lucy and Kaylee to make a push at their goal. We got stronger as the game wore on.”

Final stats indicated such strength, as Goshen was only outshot by a 7-5 count on the afternoon. Concordia’s 10 to two advantage in corner kicks was dominant, but Mounsithiraj said the pace of the game suited him just fine.

That, of course, was until the final minute of regulation, when freshman Alison Gotwals fouled a Concordia player near the sideline approximately 40 yards away from the Goshen goal. With the Leafs setting up a trap on the ensuing free kick, the Cardinals’ runners obliged, taking a five-yard advantage over senior captain Hannah Eash, the deepest defender.

With the Goshen team preparing for the off-sides call, none came. Concordia’s Natalie Brown raced to the ball and placed a shot past sophomore Emmy Gibson, as the Goshen fans erupted for a delayed call to be made.

Again, none came.

As the stunned Leafs’ squad put the ball in play from midfield, the remaining eight seconds was nowhere near enough time to mount any type of comeback effort, and Goshen had dropped its second consecutive match.

“You can talk about calls, but we still have to improve on transitioning from defense to offense quicker,” Mounsithiraj said. “We had good possession tonight and I think once we can get things moving quicker we will see even better things happening.”

Goshen will get nearly a week to shake off the bitter defeat, as the team remains idle until next Wednesday. The Leafs will then return to Michigan to face an always tough Cornerstone University program. That game is set for a 4 p.m. kick-off on Sept. 6.