No. 12 Men's Soccer falls to Kenyon 2-0 in NCAA III Tournament First Round
By: Andrew Korba
WHEATON (Ill.) -- The No. 12 Ohio Northern men's soccer team saw its season come to an end at the hands of Kenyon by a 2-0 score in the NCAA III Tournament First Round on Friday evening at Joe Bean Stadium on the campus of Wheaton (Ill.) College.
The Polar Bears conclude their season at 18-4-0, while the Lords move to 15-4-3.
KC advances to the NCAA III Tournament Second Round and will face No. 8 Wheaton (Ill.) on Saturday.
Kenyon got on the board early, sending a free kick into the box that was headed into the goal at the 4:25 mark.
Minutes later, sophomore Shintaroh Itoh had two shots inside the box, but both attempts were stopped by KC goalie Sam Clougher.
The Lords would hold their 1-0 into the break.
Kenyon expanded its lead to 2-0 when a loose ball in the box was knocked in by the Lords' Jeremiah Barnes, early in the second half.
Moments later, the Polar Bears had a chance to find the back of the net when freshman Austin Horton fired a shot, but it sailed just high and wide.
Horton had another chance in the 57th minute, but his shot went high.
Freshman Dustin Lorenzo rocketed a shot at the 67:48 mark, but it was stopped by Clougher.
The Polar Bears had another chance in the 80th minute.
The ball was sent into the box and Horton controlled it and fired a shot that was stopped at the goal line by the Lords defense.
Sophomore Keegan Ross was able to chorale the rebound and his shot was also stopped right before the goal line by the Kenyon defense.
Ross had another chance late in the match when he took a shot that hit the crossbar.
The ball bounced back to him and his header attempt was saved.
"We knew that this would be a battle coming in," said head coach Brent Ridenour. "Kenyon is a great team and their back four and goalkeeper played outstanding tonight."
Clougher made fives saves in goal for the Lords.
Freshman Evan Bader (18-4-0) did not record a stop for the Polar Bears.
ONU owned a 13-9 advantage in shots, including 10-2 on goal.
"Our senior class has been great," added Ridenour. "Not many people thought we would make it here, but they led us all season to this point. I am extremely proud of them and this team."
