GRANVILLE, Ohio (Nov. 7) – Thursday evening's matchup of a pair of top 25 teams lived up to the billing as the 10th ranked Denison University secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over 14th ranked Kenyon College in the semifinals of the 2024 North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament at Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium.
The victory gives Denison a chance to defend its conference tournament crown. The Big Red have won two of the past three NCAC Tournament titles.
The reigning NCAC Tournament champions hosts fourth-seeded DePauw University on Sunday, Nov. 10. The match is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start time with the winner securing the NCAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. DePauw upset top-seeded Ohio Wesleyan in overtime by a 2-1 score in the other semifinal on Wednesday. The Tigers will be searching for their first NCAC Tournament title since 2012.
"It was fitting that tonight was a playoff game, because tonight's match was an NCAA level match," said Denison head coach
Brandon Bianco. "Kenyon is really good and it took a huge performance from everyone tonight to do what we did. We look forward to playing at home Sunday and going again."
Junior midfielder
Phil Koutsaftis opened the scoring for Denison with a well-timed strike in the 33rd minute of play. After earning a corner kick, substitutions were made by both teams, and just moments later, Koutsaftis found himself in position near the edge of the 18-yard box. When the initial send-in fell short, Denison kept possession deep in Owl territory. Gaining control, Koutsaftis took a touch before unleashing a left-footed shot that stayed low, weaving through traffic and slipping just past the Owl goalkeeper into the bottom right corner of the net, putting Denison on the board.
The Big Red's second goal came from a brilliant header by sophomore
Justin Crow. Winning possession in midfield, Denison quickly transitioned, sending the ball out to freshman
Kaden Kist. With no hesitation, Kist made a decisive run down the left side and delivered a perfect cross into the box. Crow timed his run and leapt, connecting with a powerful header that soared past the Kenyon keeper, giving Denison a two-goal advantage in the 54th minute of play.
Kenyon cut the Denison lead in half when Eamon Dujakovich scored in the 60th minute of play. Dujakovich received a lead pass from Victor Bravo III just inside the top of the 18-yard box and finished with a short to the right half of the goal.
Denison was able to sustain its lead for the remaining 30 minutes of play. Kenyon's best chance at an equalizer came in the 79th minute of play when Justin Buchwalter hit the crossbar.
Both teams put five shots on goal. Kenyon had a 12-7 advantage in shots. The Owls registered a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Senior goalkeeper
Tommy Prokos made four saves in 90 minutes of work to secure the victory for the Big Red. Senior forward
Jake Krueger led the home team with three shots.
With the victory, the Big Red improve to 12-1-5 overall. Kenyon drops to 12-3-3 and awaits a chance at an at-large selection into the NCAA Tournament.
Denison will be in search of its fifth NCAC Tournament title on Sunday. DePauw has claimed two tournament titles. The Tigers won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.
