Box Score
Ohio Wesleyan 2, Kenyon 0

Junior back Ben Witkoff (Columbus/Gahanna Lincoln) and sophomore midfielder Colton Bloecher (Lewis Center/Olentangy Orange) scored goals to lift Ohio Wesleyan goals as the 23rd-ranked Bishops posted a crucial North Coast Athletic Conference win over Kenyon on Wednesday in Gambier.

The win moves Ohio Wesleyan into first place in the NCAC standings with a 6-1-1 record and 19 points.  DePauw is in second place with a 5-1-2 record and 17 points, and Allegheny stands third at 5-2-1 for 16 points.  Kenyon, Hiram, and Denison also are in the running for a spot in next week's NCAC tournament.  The top 4 teams in the standings will advance to the conference tournament, to be held next week on the campuses of competing institutions.

Kenyon keeper James Smith stopped shots by junior midfielder Jon Stegner (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) and junior midfielder Ian O'Keefe (Columbus/Worthington Kilbourne) during the first 15 minutes of play, and the Lords would ride that momentum for the rest of the half, holding an 8-3 advantage in shots during the period.

Smith would open the second half with saves of shots by O'Keefe and junior midfielder Taylor Rieger (Lewis Center/Olentangy Orange), but the tide soon would turn in the Bishops' favor.

Witkoff broke the ice with an unassisted goal in the 61st minute when his shot from the left corner of the penalty box hit the right post and bounced into the Lord net.

The Bishops increased the lead to 2-0 in the 72nd minute when freshman midfielder Gunnar Bloecher (Lewis Center/Olentangy Orange) crossed the ball from the right side, hitting Colton Bloecher in stride on the left side, with Colton Bloecher finishing the chance by heading the ball home.

After taking the lead, the Ohio Wesleyan defense allowed Kenyon only 2 shots during the final 29-plus minutes of play, blocking one and seeing one go wide of the Ohio Wesleyan net.

Kenyon outshot Ohio Wesleyan, 13-10.  Senior goalkeeper Paul Hendricks (Columbus/Worthington Kilbourne) recorded 3 saves in posting the shutout, the Bishops' fifth in a row.  Smith finished with 4 saves in the Lord goal.

Box Score