Sophomore Rhiley McIntire heads the ball past
the goalkeeper for his first goal of the game and his career.
SAM CARAVANA / THE DEPAUW
Despite a four goal lead after 45 minutes of play, DePauw head coach Brad Hauter chewed out his team at halftime of Tuesday’ nights 9-0 win over Anderson University (4-4).
“I was very disappointed with the attention to detail of the first half,” Hauter said. “Our starters were not tracking runs or pressing correctly. Our starters were outshot 5-4. Unacceptable start.”
However, it would be hard for Hauter to complain about the depth shown by the six different goal scorers, two of which, scored for the first time in their careers.
“I think this really speaks volumes about how involved our entire team is getting in the attack and the depth of ability we have up front to get the ball in the goal,” sophomore Jonathan Wheeler said. “The stats show how spread out scoring has been this year with all different players contributing big time goals.”
DePauw (6-3, 1-0) opened the scoring in the 20th minute on a goal from sophomore Julian Gonzalez. Fellow classmate Mitch Tabler struck five minutes later to make it 2-0 and then the floodgates opened.
First-year Jack Cornelo scored his first career goal in the 37th minute and Tabler followed that up with his second goal of the contest just three minutes later.
Despite the 4-0 scoreline at halftime, it was clear the Tigers weren’t playing to their potential.
“It was pretty apparent to the whole team that we weren’t playing our game and the focus wasn’t completely there,” Wheeler said.
“[The] problem with taking your foot off the gas is it can become a habit so I'm not too fond of teams and players doing that,” Hauter said.
Sophomore Julian Gonzalez walks to the sideline to embrace
Head Coach Brad Hauter following his second goal
of the game and fifth of the season.
SAM CARAVANA / THE DEPAUW
After Gonzalez scored his second tally of the game five minutes into the second half, senior Andy Morrison blew things wide open with a goal of his own in 59th minute. After sophomore Zach Hoffman scored his first goal of the year, his classmate, Rhiley McIntire scored the first two goals of his career to round out the scoring for DePauw.
Defensively, the Tigers were led by a relatively new face in goal. Junior Chris Yount made his first start of 2014 due to a severely jammed finger by usual starter, senior Jake Pezzuto. Yount recorded six saves in the victory.
With an important conference matchup with the Kenyon College Lords looming on Saturday, Pezzuto is confident he’ll be back in goal, despite fears that the finger could be broken.
"I'll be good by Saturday,” Pezzuto said simply.
Hauter reiterated his goalkeeper’s words.
“Jakes doing great,” Hauter said. “Just jammed a finger really badly and we thought it might be broken. He's good for saturday.”
Having Pezzuto back will be important as last year’s match with Kenyon has been seared in the memories of the Tigers.
After tying DePauw 0-0 and ending the Tigers’ 10 game winning streak to open the year, the Lords rushed Boswell Field and celebrated in manor that some players and coaches found to be distasteful.
“We remember their reaction to the draw,” Hauter said. “Very very clearly.”
Wheeler and the rest of the team are doing their best to stay focused on the task at hand.
“We are not concerned about past performances or actions,” Wheeler said. “What matters is this game right now and how we can prepare ourselves to come out and play our game and get the win.”
Saturday will be Kenyon’s first conference game of the season, yet they are 8-0 on the year, giving DePauw a chance to come full circle and put a mark on the Lord’s unblemished record.
Kickoff for this NCAC contest is scheduled 12 p.m. at Kenyon’s Mavic Field.