First-year defender Andrew Gold marks Kenyon offensive threat Tony Amolo in their game on the road Saturday afternoon.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD GOLD
After a grueling 100 minutes of play, the men’s team defeated number one ranked Keyon 1-0 in double-overtime on Saturday afternoon in Ohio.
“That game was definitely one that was circled on the calendar from the beginning, and to come out with three points is huge,” said sophomore midfielder Jack Cornelo.
The first two periods of regulation play remained scoreless, with Kenyon outshooting the DePauw Tigers 19-9.
Neverthless, head coach Brad Hauter thought the Tigers remained in control for the majority of the game.
"We were better in transition than we have been; both quicker and in moving the ball across the field," said Hauter. "That helped as it forced them to have to spend a lot of energy chasing."
Senior goalkeeper Chris Yount totaled six saves in his 100 minutes of shutout play.
Cornelo noted that the Tigers' defense across the field was the game’s difference maker.
“We defended well as a unit, strong and organized," said Cornelo. "Kenyon has one of the most powerful offenses in the country and we knew defense was going to win that game for us."
The match was a physical one, with a total of 33 fouls and five yellow cards distributed. The undefeated Lords put up a good fight against the Tigers but in the end, the program just couldn’t hang on.
DePauw’s goal came from junior forward Zach Hoffman in the final minute of the first overtime period. With eight seconds remaining, first-year defender Andrew Gold launched the ball into the goal box off of a throw in. Hoffman received the ball with his chest and volleyed it into the goal, ending the game and the Lords' undefeated streak.
“That was our only shot in overtime, [but] Hoffman made that shot count. It is one of the best feelings I have had in my four years at DePauw,” said senior defender and captain Chris Schoenfeld.
This was DePauw’s second time upsetting a nationally ranked team this season. Three weeks ago they knocked off sixth ranked Loras.
With the huge win under their belt the Tigers have now achieved a record of 7-1-2 and remain undefeated in the NCAC conference with a record of 2-0.
Head coach Brad Hauter noted after the match that while this is a big win for the program, it’s important that they don’t get too caught up in it. The men seem to echo similar sentiments.
“It's important that we re-group and re-focus," said Cornelo. "We still have a lot of work to do to get where we want to be, and none of these conference games are going to be given to us."
Schoenfeld agreed.
“We acknowledge that this was only one game and there are many more to play. We have begun to focus our attention on getting another big conference win against Hiram this weekend.”
The Tigers will have an entire week of practice in order to prepare for their next conference match against Hiram (5-4-2) on Saturday. In honor of Old Gold weekend, this game will also serve as the team’s Senior Recognition Day.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Reavis Stadium.