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GRANVILLE, Ohio (Sept. 29) – The Denison University men's soccer team and visiting Otterbein University battled through a 0-0 scoreless draw during a rainy Sunday afternoon at Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium.
Denison moves to 5-1-3 overall with the draw. Otterbein, who also played to a scoreless draw with Kenyon on Friday, is now 4-3-2 overall.
The Big Red held advantages in shots (11-6) and shots on goal (4-1). Denison committed five corner kicks while Otterbein logged three corner kick chances.
Denison put a pair of shots on goal in the opening 15-plus minutes but both attempts were saved by the Otterbein keeper. Later in the first half,
Kaden Kist put a pair of shots high, including one that hit the cross bar. The Cardinals had one shot on goal, which was high and denied by the Big Red goalkeeper
Tommy Prokos midway through the first half.
The home team had a pair of chances in the second half to secure a possible goal. A corner kick opportunity led to a header from
Zarius Eusebe that was just wide left of the goal in the 66th minute.
Henri Heyes hit the crossbar in the 76th minute of play. Things got interesting in the game's final five minutes when Denison was forced to play down after two yellow cards were accessed to multiple players. The Big Red were able to sustain that challenge to preserve the draw.
"Although we would have liked to have gotten a win today, I'm really proud of our second half," said Denison head coach
Brandon Bianco. "We finally had the urgency we were missing in the first half and as a result, we played well. We also had to do a little extra at the end of the game and the guys dug in which was great. We look forward to league play next weekend."
Kaden Kist led the way with three shots. Prokos played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded his fifth shutout of the season.
Denison returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 5 when they welcome Hiram College for the North Coast Athletic Conference opener. The game will also serve as Senior Day for the Big Red. Start time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
