NCAC Weekly Release (10-15-12) - Men's Soccer

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Allegheny (4-0-1, 12-1-1) remains the only unbeaten team in conference play and stands alone at the top of the NCAC standings with two weeks left to play in the regular season. The Gators will be tested this week as they go on the road to face Hiram (3-1-1, 12-1-1) Wednesday and then return home to host Ohio Wesleyan (3-1-1, 9-2-3) Saturday.

ALLEGHENY was able to take two one-goal decisions last week to vault into sole possession of first place in the NCAC. Against Wooster, Cameron Olson’s (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) 18-yard strike in the first half was the only goal that the defense needed, as the Gators made Olson’s goal stand as the only mark in a 1-0 home win. Against Kenyon on Saturday, freshman midfielder Jacob Lebsack (Buffalo, NY/City Honors) found the back of the net for the first time this season, as junior midfielder Andrew Miller (Olivette, MO/John Burroughs) scored in the 89th minute to break a 1-1 tie and lead the Gators to a 2-1 win. Allegheny faces a difficult challenge this week, facing a Hiram squad that was ranked No. 13 in last week’s NSCAA poll along with hosting defending national champion Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday.

A pair of key NCAC victories over Oberlin (2-1) and Wabash (2-1 OT) catapulted DENISON into a three-way tie for third place in the conference standings with three NCAC games remaining. Senior captain Ryan Torgersen (Spring, TX/Klein) broke a 1-1 tie in the 47th minute at Oberlin, while a late goal by John Krentz (Davidson, NC/North Mecklenburg) and an OT score from Bob Casarona (Chagrin Falls, OH/Chagrin Falls) sent DU past the Little Giants.

DEPAUW capped off another undefeated slate of games (2-0-1) with a 5-3 non-conference victory over NCAA Division II foe, Oakland City. Sophomore forward Andy Morrison (Bristol, IN/ Northridge) netted three goals on the week, now leading the team with eight on the season. The Tigers’ outshot their three opponents this week 52-27 and have yet to lose a match when outshooting the opposing squad (8-0-3).

HIRAM was handed its first loss of the 2012 campaign at the hands of Kenyon, 2-0. The Terriers return to action this Wednesday as Hiram will host the Gators of Allegheny who currently sit atop the league standings.

KENYON hosted two of the NCAC’s top teams this week and handed Hiram its first loss of the season, 2-0, before dropping a tough 2-1 decision to Allegheny.

OBERLIN dropped a pair of conference games this past week, first falling to Denison, 2-1, before dropping a 3-2 decision to Hiram in the final minute. Sophomore Dennis Kachintsev (Millburn, NJ/Millburn) netted his first-career goal against the Big Red.

Freshman midfielder Brian Schaefer (Chatham, NJ/Chatham) had a hand in both OHIO WESLEYAN goals, and junior back Ben Witkoff (Columbus, OH/Gahanna Lincoln) scored his first collegiate goal to help Ohio Wesleyan to an NCAC win over Wabash on Wednesday at Roy Rike Field. Junior midfielder Paolo Bucci (Dublin, OH/Bishop Watterson) broke a scoreless tie, and sophomore midfielder Colton Bloecher (Lewis Center, OH/Olentangy Orange) had a hand in a pair of insurance scores as 23rd-ranked Ohio Wesleyan defeated Wittenberg on Saturday in Springfield.

WABASH held a 1-0 lead heading into the final three minutes of Saturday’s match against Denison before the Big Red tied the match, then won in overtime. Jacob Nigh (Tampa, FL/T.R. Robinson) scored his second goal of the season to give the Little Giants the 1-0 lead at Denison. The overtime loss is the third this season for Wabash. Matt Paul (Bloomington, IN/Bloomington North) made eight saves in the 2-0 loss at Ohio Wesleyan Wednesday evening. Paul added six saves in Saturday’s loss at Denison.

WITTENBERG fell in two conference matches this week, first a 3-2 defeat at DePauw, followed by a 3-0 loss against Ohio Wesleyan. Senior Daniel Broidy (Bexley, OH/Bexley) and senior Alejandro Garcia (Toledo, OH/St. Francis) each scored against DePauw, and Garcia figured largely in a defensive effort that kept Ohio Wesleyan to one goal through the first 84 minutes on Saturday.

WOOSTER earned its first point in the NCAC standings after playing DePauw to a 0-0 tie. It was  the second shutout of the season for the Scots who are now 3-9-1 overall.