Men's Soccer picks up first win of season at ONU Invitational
By Bud Denega
ADA — In its first home match of the 2019 season, the Ohio Northern men's soccer team picked up its first victory of the season. The Polar Bears netted two second-half goals en route to a 2-0 win over Hope (Mich.) during the ONU Invitational at Kerscher Stadium Friday night.
Sophomore Levi King (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) tallied the game's first goal in the very early stages of the second half and Junior Beelal Hasan (Westerville/Thomas) capped the scoring a few minutes, thereafter. Northern (1-1-1) was outshot by the Flying Dutch 19-9, but the Polar Bears made their opportunities count.
King — the reigning Ohio Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year — was playing in his first game of the 2019 season and utilized a free kick to put the Polar Bears on the board. King threaded it through traffic and past Hope (2-1-0) goaltender Blair McCormick in the 47th minute.
Hasan increased ONU's advantage in the 52nd minute, firing a shot from just outside the goalie box that bested McCormick.
Northern goalkeeper John Lombardo (Solon) pitched his first shutout of the season, ending the game with six saves. He made impressive saves in both halves, but none greater than his last.
After the Polar Bears were whistled for a penally in the goalie box during the 88th minute, Charlie Rogers took aim at a penally shot, but Lombardo was up of the challenge.
McCormick finished the contest with four saves.
The Polar Bears turn their attention to No. 2 Calvin (Mich.) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Knights downed Transylvania (Ky.) 3-1 Friday in the first game of the ONU Invite.
