Wall Sparks Ohio Wesleyan in NCAC Lidlifter
Senior forward Travis Wall scored what proved to be the deciding goal and set up an insurance score to give sixth-ranked Ohio Wesleyan a win over Hiram in its North Coast Athletic Conference opener on Friday at rain-soaked Roy Rike Field.
Senior forward Tyler Bryant staked the Bishops to a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute, taking a pass from sophomore midfielder Jon Stegner and sending the ball over the head of Terrier keeper Joe Rottinger and into the net.
Team defense highlighted the remainder of the first half, with each team clearing an apparent goal off its own line. Bryant nearly had his second goal of the game in the 20th minute, but his shot was cleared off the line by the Hiram defense. The Bishops responded in kind 4 minutes later, denying Andy Harding's shot at the tying goal.
Ohio Wesleyan had a couple other chances at increasing its lead, one when Wall's crossing pass found sophomore midfielder Matt Shodoan open in front of the Terrier goal, but Shadoan was unable to connect on the one-time shot. Late in the half, senior forward Matt Bonfini ran a give-and-go with sophomore midfielder Paolo Bucci, but Bonfini's shot after taking the return pass was stopped by Rottinger.
The Bishops made it 2-0 early in the second half when freshman back Mason Hoge played the ball to Shadoan, who sent the ball in toward the left post, where Wall headed it just inside the post in the 55th minute.
Ohio Wesleyan increased the lead to 3-0 in the 62nd minute when Wall's shot was stopped by Rottinger, but freshman midfielder Colton Bloecher was there to head home the rebound.
Hiram got on the scoreboard in the closing minutes when Ty Smith scored from inside the penalty area.
Ohio Wesleyan outshot Hiram, 27-24. Junior Paul Hendricks finished with 6 saves in the Ohio Wesleyan goal. Rottinger finished with 8 saves in the Terrier cage.
