Box Score Fourth-ranked Denison outscored 11th ranked Ohio Wesleyan, 5-2 in the third quarter and that was enough to send the Big Red to a 7-5 win on Saturday at Piper Stadium in Granville, Ohio.
The two teams combined to score only three goals in a cautiously played first half. The Battling Bishops took a 2-1 lead into the intermission but it could have easily been a four or five goal lead if not for the play of Denison senior goalie Chris Thomas. In the second quarter, Thomas posted six saves, giving his squad some positive momentum heading into the second half. While DU looked calm and collected despite the one goal deficit, OWU came out of the gates strong, scoring 1:24 into the third quarter off a Marcus Dietz goal.
Denison began its comeback after Blair Farinholt scored his 24th goal of the season after a turnover by Bishop goalie Ben Rigger. On the goal, Ohio Wesleyan's Peter Hamblett was flagged for a two-minute non-releasable penalty that Denison took advantage of. Less than a minute into the EMO, Jake Waxter found Nick Bortolani to tie the game at 3-3.
DU maintained possession throughout the penalty but a turnover allowed OWU to get out in transition. After a quick clear, Jack Harvey finished things off with his 19th goal of the year to put his team back on top, 4-3.
On the ensuing faceoff, the Battling Bishops gained possession, but a caused turnover by John Reinhardt gave the ball back to DU in their offensive third. With 9:16 to play in the third, Liam Rooney connected with James Meager for the equalizer.
The Big Red gained possession on a faceoff violation. After a minute of patient passing, Alex Paulus uncorked a laser that found nothing but net. That put Denison on top 5-4, a lead they would not relinquish.
With 3:01 left in the third, Jamie McCahan fed the ball to Jake Waxter who scored his seventh goal of the season. That allowed DU to take a 6-4 lead into the fourth quarter.
Denison drew first blood in the fourth when McCahan fed Meager for his second goal of the game. With just over seven minutes left, Denison was flagged for a 30-second push and the Bishops converted the EMO just before the penalty expired as Cooper Del Dotto scored off a pass from Jack Jeschke.
OWU won the faceoff and with 6:05 left Harvey put a shot on goal that was turned away by Chris Thomas. That was Thomas' 11th and arguably biggest save of the contest. Denison maintained possession for the next four minutes until a turnover with 2:19 left gave the ball back to Ohio Wesleyan.
Needing to score quickly, OWU went to the goal but a sound stick check by Teddy Sawyer jarred the ball away from Dietz allowing Thomas to scoop up the loose ball. With only 90 seconds to play, DU turned the ball back over while clearing but the Bishops reciprocated as Jack Harvey's pass sailed and Waxter was there for the ground ball. DU ran the final 1:09 off the clock to leave with the 7-5 win.
Denison was edged in the shot department 30-28 but Thomas matched his season-high with 12 saves in the cage. OWU won 11-of-16 faceoffs but 18 Battling Bishops turnovers cost them in the end. The DU defense was led by Josh Happ who finished with four caused turnovers and one ground ball. Sawyer finished with three caused turnovers and two ground balls while Ben Duhoski ended with two caused turnovers and one ground ball. Brian Miller led the team with five ground balls.
Five different players combined to score Denison's seven goals. Meager and Farinholt both finished with two apiece. Rooney and McCahon both had a pair of assists.
Ohio Wesleyan FOGO Zach Friedman was 11-for-15 and led the team with five ground balls. Rigger posted eight saves in goal.
The win improves Denison's record to 12-1 and 6-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Ohio Wesleyan drops to 10-2 and 5-1 in conference play. Winners of 11-straight, Denison will close out its regular season next week with games against Kenyon (Tuesday, April 19) and at Wabash (Saturday, April 23).
This was the 95th contest between Denison and Ohio Wesleyan. Denison leads the all-time series 50-45.
