GRANVILLE, Ohio (Nov. 17) – One of the finest seasons in Denison University men's soccer history will continue into the NCAA Sweet 16 round next weekend. The Big Red scored three times in the first half and tacked on another score in the second half en route to a 4-1 victory over Ohio Northern University in the second round of the 2024 Division III Men's Soccer Championships at Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium Sunday afternoon. 

"Today was a great day for Denison men's soccer," said fifth-year head coach Brandon Bianco. "We had to play a really good program and I'm so proud of the guys for how much the dug in the for full 90 minutes. We found timely goals when we needed them and I felt the togetherness and competitive spirit that is us at our best was on full display today."

Denison struck early, earning a free kick 20 yards outside Ohio Northern's 18-yard box. Cameron McIntosh sent the ball into play, sparking an aerial battle as two Ohio Northern defenders went up to clear it. The header led to another contest in the air, this time with Zarius Eusebe keeping the ball alive for Denison. After the ball touched down, Henri Heyes attempted a quick turn-around shot that was deflected by a Polar Bear defender. The rebound fell to Eli Taylor, who, with a defender on his back, executed an impressive touch with his right foot. Spinning 180 degrees, Taylor unleashed a powerful left-footed strike that soared just above the goalkeeper's and into the net, giving the Big Red an early 1-0 lead.
 
Ohio Northern responded quickly, capitalizing on a sequence of sharp, precise passes that broke through the Denison defense. Cade Winchester intercepted an attempted clearance by Denison, using a quick burst of speed to gain control. Taking a single touch, Winchester fired a left-footed shot across the goal that found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
 
Denison reclaimed the lead with a well-executed counterattack. Zarius Eusebe intercepted a pass near midfield and quickly switched fields, sending the ball to Kameron Kist. With space to operate, Kist carried the ball down the sideline and delivered a pinpoint cross into the Polar Bears' 18-yard box. The Ohio Northern defense, caught off guard, left Eli Taylor unmarked in the middle. Taylor met the cross perfectly with a precise header that sailed into the right side of the net, putting Denison back in front, 2-1.
 
Kameron Kist played a role in Denison's third goal, launching a long ball deep into Ohio Northern territory after beating his opponent to possession. Jack Rice applied immediate pressure on the defense, forcing a miscue from an ONU defender. Pouncing on the loose ball, Rice took a quick touch before threading a perfectly placed shot between the goalkeeper and the defender into the lower right corner, extending Denison's lead to 3-1.
 
Denison capitalized on a set-piece opportunity in the 60th minute. A corner kick delivery sailed high and rolled toward the far side of the 18-yard box, where Jake Krueger collected it and sent the ball back into play. Eli Taylor, in pursuit of a hat trick, leaped into the air to challenge the goalkeeper, causing the ball to skim off his head and stay in play. Zarius Eusebe, who had been knocked down earlier in the sequence, quickly regained his footing, found the ricocheted ball, and volleyed it into the net. This sealed Denison's dominant 4-1 victory.

ONU outshot Denison by a 15-6 margin. However, the Big Red held a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal. Four of the five attempts by Denison resulted in goals. The Polar Bears had eight corner kicks to five for the Big Red. 
 
Taylor finished the opening weekend of NCAA play with three goals and an assist. Eusebe also scored in both victories this weekend.  

With the victory, Denison improves its record to an impressive 14-1-6 in 2024. Ohio Northern finishes the campaign with a 14-4-4 mark. 

The advancement into the NCAA Sweet 16 is the deepest advancement by the program since 1979. The pair of wins this weekend gives Denison multiple victories in the same NCAA Tournament for the first time. 
 
Up Next: The Big Red will travel to No. 1 Mary Washington in the Sectional Rounds for an 11 a.m. kickoff in Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 23. 

Mary Washington scored in the final minutes to down NCAC foe Ohio Wesleyan by a 1-0 score in Sunday's second round matchup.