Bryant Goals Help Ohio Wesleyan Past Wittenberg
Senior forward Tyler Bryant scored twice and freshman back Mason Hoge set up a pair of goals to help sixth-ranked Ohio Wesleyan past Wittenberg, 4-1, in North Coast Athletic Conference action on Saturday at Roy Rike Field.
The win extended Ohio Wesleyan's unbeaten streak in NCAC games to a conference-record 36.
The victory also was the 598th career win for Ohio Wesleyan head coach Jay Martin, moving him into second place on the all-time, all-divisions victories list in men's college soccer. Martin's total of 598 wins surpasses the 597 recorded by Cliff McCrath at Wheaton, Gordon, Spring Arbor, and Seattle Pacific from 1958-2007.
Wittenberg jumped to an early lead when Stefan Latham pinned a Bishop pass and sent the ball ahead to Joe Halula. Halula streaked up the left side, got past a defender and turned the corner, and centered the ball to Shawn Doak, who scored at the 5:02 mark to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. The goal was the first scored by Wittenberg in a regular-season game against Ohio Wesleyan since Oct. 12, 2002.
The Tiger lead was short-lived, however. Just over 4 minutes later, senior forward Travis Wall centered the ball to sophomore midfielder Jon Stegner, who finished the chance to tie the score at 1-1 at the 9:07 mark.
Ohio Wesleyan took the lead in the 25th minute when Hoge centered the ball from the left side to freshman midfielder Colton Bloecher, who scored from in front for a 2-1 Bishop lead.
The Bishops added to their lead in the 36th minute after a throw-in from the left side. Senior forward Matt Bonfini threw the ball in to Hoge, who split a pair of defenders and sent the ball on to Bryant, whose shot found the back of the net to make it a 3-1 game.
Bryant finished off the evening's scoring in the 65th minute, jumping on a loose ball in the penalty area and sending a shot off the left post and into the back of the net.
Ohio Wesleyan outshot Wittenberg, 27-4. Junior Paul Hendricks and senior Steve Gobel combined for 2 saves in the Ohio Wesleyan goal. Michael Lambeck and David Rea combined for 5 saves for Wittenberg.
