Sept. 15, 2007

By Zach Stipe

ADA — The Ohio Northern men’s soccer team erased a two-goal deficit and sophomore Brian Bolibrzuch poked in the game-winning goal in the second overtime to lift the Polar Bears to a 3-2 victory over Hope (Mich.) at the ONU Soccer Field for their fourth OAC-MIAA Shootout title.

The Polar Bears improve to 5-3, while the Flying Dutchmen fall to 3-3.

Junior Ben Jackson headed sophomore Dan Otanicar’s throw-in right to Bolibrzuch, who tapped it into the net for the game-winner with 3:57 left in the second overtime.

Hope outshot Northern 27-13 and held a 2-0 lead with 20 minutes left in the game.

John Turner scored a goal at the 13:54 mark in the first half and Jack Abe rebounded a Dan Tressler shot for the score at 58:12 in the second half to give the Flying Dutchmen the commanding advantage.

Jackson got the Polar Bears on the board at 71:07, when he finished a Trevor Baron pass from six yards out.

With less than four minutes left in the game, freshman Chaz McCullah tied the game. Bolibrzuch crossed the ball to Otanicar who headed to McCullah for an easy score.

Northern almost won the game in the first overtime, but a shot from sophomore Chris Corrado hit the post.

ONU freshman keeper David Esser had eight saves, while Hope goalie Michael Amerman made two saves.

“I’m proud of the way we came back,” ONU head coach Brent Ridenour said. “Hope gave us all they had. I’m glad we kept fighting.”

Calvin (Mich.) defeated Baldwin-Wallace, 1-0, in Saturday’s earlier game.

Ohio Northern finished the Shootout 2-0 to capture the title.

Calvin and Hope each finished 1-1, while Baldwin-Wallace went 0-2.

The Polar Bears return to action this Wednesday when they host Anderson (Ind.) at 5 p.m.