Ohio Wesleyan Clinches Share of NCAC Championship
Senior forward Travis Wall scored to erase a 1-0 deficit, then set up the game-winning goal to give sixth-ranked Ohio Wesleyan a 2-1 North Coast Athletic Conference victory over Kenyon on Wednesday at Roy Rike Field.
With the win, Ohio Wesleyan clinches a share of the NCAC championship. The Bishops, 8-0 in the NCAC, can win the conference championship outright with a win or tie on Saturday.
The NCAC title is Ohio Wesleyan's fourth straight, seventh in the last 8 years, and 20th overall in the 28 seasons of NCAC competition.
The win also extended Ohio Wesleyan's unbeaten streak in NCAC games to a conference-record 39.
Kenyon had taken a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute when Nate Petrou served the ball in from the left side to Lewis Williams-Gray, who headed it home.
The Lords would hold the edge in play through most of the first half, outshooting the Bishops by a count of 7-6.
The Ohio Wesleyan offense showed signs of awakening early in the second half, nearly evening the score when sophomore midfielder Jacob Eganhouse sent a through ball to sophomore midfielder Matt Shadoan, whose tip was wide of the Kenyon goal in the 49th minute.
The Bishops tied the game in the 68th minute, with freshman midfielder Colton Bloecher setting up the play by getting the ball to senior midfielder Dylan Stone. Stone in turn centered to Wall, who finished in front to make it 1-1.
Another combination play, this time with senior forward Matt Bonfini sending the ball ahead to Wall, who played it on to Shadoan in the box, gave Ohio Wesleyan the game-winner with 5:11 left in regulation time.
Ohio Wesleyan dodged a bullet when Kenyon's Alistair Flynn got an open look in the box during the 88th minute, but his shot hit the side of the net.
Ohio Wesleyan outshot Kenyon, 17-11. Junior Paul Hendricks recorded 3 saves in the Ohio Wesleyan goal. Tyler Schatz had 3 saves for the Lords.
