Box Score Powered by three first half goals, 21st ranked Ohio Wesleyan handed Denison a 4-1 defeat from the Jay Martin Soccer Complex in Delaware, Ohio. The loss dropped the Big Red's record to 5-3 in North Coast Athletic Conference play while OWU remains unbeaten in league play at 7-0-1.
Ohio Wesleyan struck first in the eighth minute of play when Kyle Baum converted a give-and-go from Lonnie Barnes to put his team up 1-0.
In the 22nd minute of action, Brian Schaefer uncorked a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that found the back of the net. With just over two minutes remaining in the first half, OWU's leading scorer, Colton Bloecher, scored his 13th goal of the season.
In the second half, DU got on the scoreboard with 21 minutes remaining as Ryan Fine banked a 20-yard shot into the goal off the left post for his first tally of the season. With just over five minutes to play, Denison attempted a corner kick and Kennedy Kommor took a shot on-goal that was saved by Bishop keeper Ben Farynowski. One minute later, Schaefer would score his second goal of the night, setting the final at 4-1.
Ohio Wesleyan held an 18-6 advantage in shots and a 4-2 advantage in corner kick attempts. Battling Bishop goalkeepers combined for five saves, while Denison's Jack Thomas recorded two saves while playing all of the second half.
Denison has one regular season match remaining on its schedule and that will take place on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at DePauw University. This match is critical in determining Denison's postseason fate. At 5-3, DU currently sits in fourth place in the conference standings. At 4-3-1, DePauw is in fifth. The top four teams in the conference standings will advance to the NCAC Tournament.
