GRANVILLE, Ohio (October 7, 2023) – The Denison University men's soccer team lost in conference action for the first time this season, falling 1-0 against Kenyon College on a cold Saturday night at Deeds Field-Piper Stadium.

Despite Kenyon being the seven-time defending North Coast Athletic Conference regular-season champion, it was Denison who entered the matchup on Saturday ranked No. 5 in the United Soccer Coaches Region VII Poll while the Owls checked in at No. 8.

After a couple of near goals for the Big Red early in the match, most notably on a shot by Cameron McIntosh that was just saved by Kenyon's Jack Pedreschi in the 10th minute, it was the Owls who broke through with three straight shots on goal in the 20th minute, the third of which got past the Denison defense after a pair of defensive saves by Chris Giglio.

That turned the momentum into Kenyon's favor after it was Denison who seemed to control possession for the early part of the match.

In all for the first half, Kenyon outshot Denison 6-0 after the goal, 11-2 overall and 5-1 on goal.

Late in the second half, however, Denison looked to get some of that momentum back as back-to-back shots by Jake Krueger in the 70th minute were both saved by Pedreschi before a shot by Kist in the 71st minute was also saved.

Krueger missed just wide right in the 72nd minute while a header by Henri Heyes in the 77th minute resulted in the fifth and final save of the match by Pedreschi.

Denison outshot Kenyon 7-4 in the second half and held a 5-1 advantage on corner kicks, but was unable to get one by Pedreschi in the end.

Head Coach Brandon Bianco said, "Give credit to Kenyon for finding the goal they needed tonight. I'm really proud of our second half and look forward to building on it for the rest of the conference season. This is a good group and goals will come."

With the defeat, Denison drops to 7-3-2 overall and 1-1-1 in NCAC play while Kenyon improves to 9-3 overall and remains undefeated in conference play at 3-0.

Denison will continue its current three-match homestand against Wabash College at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, before hosting Wittenberg University for Senior Day at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 14.