The Tigers battled Kenyon College to a 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon at Boswell Field. This marked the end of the Tigers remarkable winning streak, as they moved to 10-0-1 on the season.
The two teams came into the game evenly matched. Both are offensive juggernauts that average over two and a half goals per game. The Lords put a very respectable 7-2 record on the line against the undefeated Tigers. Going into the game, Kenyon had only allowed eight goals in nine games.
The DePauw offense was going into the game red-hot, though. The Tigers had scored six goals in the last two games. Nevertheless, the very disciplined back line of Kenyon proved to be a formidable challenge.
The Tigers were not able to get a shot on net until the 34th minute and even then only managed two in the first half. Kenyon played a physical style and was able to keep DePauw from having prolonged offensive attacks.
"We had trouble possessing the ball and getting through the defense the entire game," said first-year forward Julian Gonzalez. "We just tried to force the ball in too much."
In the second half, things opened up some for the DePauw offense as they threw everything they had at Kenyon, trying to break the tie. The Tigers managed eight shots in the second half with five actually requiring saves. However, Lords goalkeeper Sam Clougher was up to the challenge.
Clougher came into the game playing some of his best soccer of the season. In the Lords last five games, he has only allowed one goal, while having to make seventeen saves.
The second half was very physical on both sides. The teams combined for sixteen fouls in the half and two yellow cards. The first was issued to DePauw's Alieu Musa, a sophomore, and the second went to Kenyon's Jordan Glassman.
The regulation 90 minutes were not enough to decide the outcome and the two teams headed into overtime, where things stayed very physical. Three fouls were called and a yellow card was issued against Kenyon. The aggressive style of play led to a lot of turnovers and no real chances for either team in overtime. Despite throwing everything they had at the Lords, DePauw was not even able to get a shot on net.
The two ten minute overtime periods didn't change anything and the game ended in a 0-0 draw. For the first time all year, the Tigers walked off the field without a win.
"We were really disappointed in ourselves, but at the same time we knew that we put everything we had into the game," Gonzalez said.
The draw just added to the pressure of conference play for the Tigers. After the game, Gonzalez called the next game, on the road against NCAC rival College of Wooster, a "must win."
Fortunately for DePauw, the Fighting Scots have had some serious offensive troubles this year. In their eight games, Wooster is averaging less than one goal scored.
The key for DePauw will be to get the offense going early as the Fighting Scots have allowed six first half goals in eight games this year.
Despite having a paltry record of 2-5-1, Wooster has been undefeated at home this year, with one win and a draw. DePauw, however, goes into its fourth road game outscoring their opponents 8-1 in games away from Boswell Field.