Denison sophomore defender Tim Evans scored the game winner with 1:41 remaining in overtime to lift the 24th-ranked Big Red to a 1-0 victory over Hiram on a rainy Saturday in Granville, Ohio. With the win, DU earned their first North Coast Athletic Conference win and remained unbeaten on the season.

Both teams had an opportunity in the extra session. Freshman Christian Keiper worked his way through the Terrier defense before rifling a shot off Hiram keeper Matt Sacher in the 93rd minute. Two minutes later, Hiram countered with their own scoring chance when Richie Webb sent a header on goal from the middle of the box. Despite the slick conditions, senior goalie Blake Schach easily corralled the attempt to keep it a scoreless affair.

With less than two minutes to play in the first overtime period, Hiram was whistled for a foul roughly 40 yards away from the goal. Freshman Luis Zamora floated his free kick right to Evans who headed the ball over Sacher and into the back of the net for his first-career goal at 98:19. The win marked the Big Red's fourth victory in overtime, and the third time they've scored a game-winning goal with less than two minutes remaining in the first OT session.

In the 39th minute, Keanu Shelton collided with Schach which left the goal wide open for Vaal Ngalla. Seeing that the net was unattended, senior defender Ryan Fine raced back to stop Ngalla from breaking the scoreless tie. In the second half, Zamora connected with sophomore Will Kendall who sent a shot over the crossbar.

In the 68th minute, Hiram had a golden chance to score the first goal of the game when DU was whistled for a foul in the box. Knowing that goals were at a premium, Tanner Mathews stepped up to the penalty dot looking to get one past Schach. However, the senior goalie guessed right and stopped the attempt. With the ball loose in front of the goal, Mathews tried to follow up but his shot from close range traveled outside the left post. In the final minutes of the second half, Jake Girardot and Kendall executed a give-and-go that freed up Girardot, but Sacher punched the shot away and ultimately sent the game into overtime.

The Big Red held a 20-13 advantage in shots, which included an 8-7 edge in shots on goal. Denison also had all eight corner kicks. The Terriers were whistled for 14 infractions, while DU committed 10 fouls on the day.

Junior Kennedy Kommor and Kendall each recorded four shots, while Majtenyi had three attempts. Zamora, Keiper and David Jaben also posted two shots apiece. Schach earned his fourth shutout of the season and the seventh of his career after making six saves in just over 98 minutes of action.

Ngalla paced the Hiram offense with four shots, while Webb and Mathews had three and two, respectively. Sacher took the loss despite making seven saves between the pipes.

Denison improves to 9-0-1 overall and 1-0-1 in the NCAC, while the Terriers fall to 5-4-2 and 1-1 in league play. The Big Red will kick off a three-match road swing next Saturday (Oct. 10) when they travel to Meadville, Pa. to take on the Allegheny Gators. Match time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.