No. 7 Men’s Soccer scores early to advance to OAC Championship Game
By: Jake Schwerer
ADA--The No. 7 Ohio Northern men's soccer team scored three goals in the first half to defeat Heidelberg in an OAC Semifinal match 3-1 Friday afternoon at the ONU Soccer Field.
With the victory Ohio Northern improves to 19-2 on the season and advances to their fifth straight OAC Championship game, while Heidelberg finishes the season with a 10-7-3 record.
The scoring started quickly for the Polar Bears when freshman Keegan Ross passed the ball to senior Chris Matejka who beat the goalie to the left in the 12th minute.
Just a little over a minute later, Ohio Northern scored again when senior Austin Windsor scored on a free kick from 30 feet out from the goal in the 13th minute.
The Polar Bears took a commanding lead in the 23th minute when senior Cameron Johnson shot the ball after it bounced off the post and beat the keeper.
Junior Jeremy Barnes had the assist and the game went into halftime with a 3-0 Ohio Northern lead.
Heidelberg got on the scoreboard in the 64th minute when freshman Ryan Homoki passed the ball to fellow freshman Chris Koczak who put the ball in the net to make the score 3-1.
The Student Princes threatened to make the game a 3-2 match in the 83rd minute with a penalty kick, but the shot went wide left.
Senior goalie Mac Church made six saves in the match, improving his record to 19-2.
Heidelberg sophomore goalie Matthew Stevens made three saves and finishes the season with a 10-6-3 record.
"Heidelberg was a tough opponent and we were fortunate to get out to an early lead," said head coach Brent Ridenour. "We're looking forward to playing at home for the championship, and whoever we play, John Carroll or Wilmington, it's going to be a tough game."
Ohio Northern will compete for their third straight OAC Tournament Championship when they host either John Carroll or Wilmington on Sunday at 1.
