Ohio Wesleyan 3, Ohio Dominican 2
Senior midfielder Tyler Wall (Columbus/Upper Arlington) scored twice to erase one-goal deficits, and junior forward Travis Wall (Columbus/Upper Arlington) notched the game-winning goal as Ohio Wesleyan, ranked No. 10 in NCAA Division III, defeated Ohio Dominican, ranked No. 22 in NCAA Division II, in non-conference action on Saturday at Roy Rike Field.
The first half was an entertaining yet defense-oriented battle, with more shots blocked (5) than there were keeper saves (3 total).
Ohio Wesleyan had a couple good scoring opportunities during the period, both set up by freshman midfielder Matt Shadoan (Dublin/Scioto). Shadoan moved the ball along the left end line and centered to junior midfielder Dylan Stone (Easton, Conn./Barlow) for an open look in the 31st minute, but Panther keeper Tyler Gleason was there for the save.
Three minutes later, Shadoan intercepted an errant Ohio Dominican clearing pass and broke in on the Panther goal, but sent his shot whistling just over the crossbar.
The offenses opened up during the second half, and it was Ohio Dominican that drew first blood. The Panthers had earned a corner kick in the 48th minute, and Liam Fitzgerald wound up for a shot from the right side of the penalty area. His shot was blocked by the Bishop defense, but the ball caromed to Felix Darko, who put the rebound into the Ohio Wesleyan net for a 1-0 Ohio Dominican lead.
Ohio Wesleyan evened the game at 1-1 when Shadoan centered the ball from the left side to Wall, who headed it home in the 55th minute.
Just 29 seconds later, the Panthers reclaimed the lead when Tyler Huerkamp crossed the ball to Duncan Campbell, whose header gave the visitors a 2-1 advantage.
Once again, the Bishops had an answer. Two minutes after the Panthers scored, Ohio Wesleyan earned a corner kick and freshman forward Jon Stegner (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) sent the ball into the penalty area. An Ohio Dominican defender played the ball with his hand, and Tyler Wall converted the ensuing penalty kick to make it a 2-2 game.
The Bishops took the lead less than 3 minutes after that when senior back Eric Laipple (Westerville/South) sent the ball from the left side to Travis Wall, who finished in front with 29:53 left in regulation time.
Sophomore Paul Hendricks (Columbus/Worthington Kilbourne) preserved the lead in the 71st minute when the Panthers' Casey Weddle had his shot blocked by the Bishop defense and squeezed off a follow shot that Hendricks snared.
Ohio Wesleyan outshot Ohio Dominican, 27-12. Hendricks finished with 3 saves in the Ohio Wesleyan goal. Gleason collected 2 saves for the Panthers.
Box Score
