Hasan’s late heroics propels Men's Soccer to upset of No. 7 Ohio Wesleyan
By Bud Denega
ADA — The Ohio Northern men's soccer team had to wait more than 87 minutes for a score Wednesday in its match against No. 7 Ohio Wesleyan, but the Polar Bears won't mind in the slightest. Junior forward Beelal Hasan (Westerville/Thomas) netted the game's only score, as Northern edged the Battling Bishops 1-0 at Kerscher Stadium.
"It was a good team win. Everybody that stepped onto the field made an effort," interim head coach Chris Matejka said. "To win big games against teams that are ranked — against difficult opponents like Ohio Wesleyan who has a tradition of success — it takes a lot of team effort. It's never an individual battle. It's about the team."
Hasan logged the game's first and only score on his own. He dribbled the ball to just outside and right side of the goalie box. He fired a shot toward the top half of the goal that bested OWU (3-2-0) goaltender J.P. Baughman.
"We ended up finding Hasan's feet in a dangerous area, and he took advantage of it," Matejka said. "We are delighted for him."
Hasan registered five shots on the night, two of which were on target. The Polar Bears, as a team, fired 12 shots and five of them were on frame.
The Battling Bishops — whose three-game win streak came to an end Wednesday — recorded 22 shots, seven on target, and ONU goaltender John Lombardo (Solon) was up to every task.
The victory marked the Polar Bears first over a ranked foe since besting then-No. 19 OWU on Sept. 12 of last season.
Northern (2-2-1) will look to carry the momentum into its road match at Oberlin Saturday at 7 p.m.
