ADA — Sophomore Tyler Johnston’s sliding goal in the 58th minute broke a 1-1 tie and lifted the No. 4-seeded Ohio Northern men’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over No. 5-seed Baldwin-Wallace in the first round of the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament on Monday at the ONU Soccer Field.

The win propels the Polar Bears to the semifinals where they will play No. 1-seed Capital at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Bexley.

ONU improved to 14-5-2, while Baldwin-Wallace ended its season with a record of 9-6-4.

Johnston’s sliding game-winner into the right corner of the net came off assists from freshman Chaz McCullah and sophomore Chris Corrado.

Junior Colin Schroeder gave ONU a 1-0 advantage at the 16:35 mark. Senior Zach Huffman whipped a corner kick to Schroeder who drilled a goal from 30 yards away.

The Yellow Jackets tied the game when Bryce Sylvester headed in a throw-in from Alex Restaino in the 34th minute.

Northern had a pair of chances to regain the lead in the final two minutes of the first half, but sophomore Brian Bolibrzuch’s shot hit off the post and junior Ben Jackson headed the ball into the crossbar.

After Johnston’s score, the Yellow Jackets best chance at a goal in the second half came when ONU freshman keeper Ben Huntley bobbled a save after a shot by Sylvester.

The Polar Bears held a 18-17 edge in shots and a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Huntley had five saves and improved to 9-1-2 on the season.

Russ Mika had five saves for the Yellow Jackets.

No.3-seed John Carroll defeated No. 6-seed Marietta 2-1 in the other first round match.

The Blue Streaks will take on No. 2-seed Heidelberg in Tiffin on Wednesday in the other semifinals match.