Box Score Ohio Wesleyan 2, Wabash 0Junior midfielder Brian Schaefer (Chatham, N.J.) and sophomore forward Kyle Baum (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) scored goals to help 21st-ranked Ohio Wesleyan defeat 25th-ranked Wabash in a battle of North Coast Athletic Conference unbeatens on Wednesday at the Jay Martin Soccer Complex.
Wabash brought a 10-0-2 record into the contest and, along with Ohio Wesleyan, was part of a 3-way tie for first place in the NCAC.
Baum had the Bishops' first chance of the game with a header in the fourth minute, but his shot was wide, and senior midfielder Colton Bloecher (Lewis Center/Olentangy Orange) was there for a follow shot but saw it go over the goal.
Ohio Wesleyan had more success on its next chance, with Bloecher sending the ball ahead to Schaefer in the penalty area and Schaefer firing a shot from the right side across to the left side of the goal in the 20th minute.
Wabash's Blake Jennings had a look at the Bishop goal at the 21-minute mark, but junior goalkeeper Colin Beemiller (Pickerington/North) was there for the save.
Midway through the half, Little Giant keeper Dayton Jennings kept the visitors within 1-0 with a pair of saves in rapid-fire succession. After an Ohio Wesleyan restart, Bloecher had a shot blocked by Jennings. Baum was there for the offensive rebound, but his shot also was stopped by Jennings.
The Bishops nearly tacked on another goal in the closing seconds of the half. After a throw-in from the right side, the ball was centered to junior midfielder Gunnar Bloecher (Lewis Center/Olentangy Orange), whose redirect went just outside the left post.
Baum increased the Bishop lead to 2-0 in the opening minutes of the second half, picking up the ball after a Wabash turnover, making a run up the right side, and slipping a shot inside the right post.
Baum had a couple more chances during the second half, taking a through ball from junior forward Matt Cohen (Cincinnati/Seven Hills) and breaking on the goal only to have Jennings come out to make the save in the 51st minute, then fielding a pass from junior midfielder Lonnie Barnes (Champaign, Ill./Centennial) and getting off a shot that Jennings saved in the 62nd minute.
"We didn't play particularly well, but we expected a bit of a letdown after (Saturday's win over) DePauw," said Bishop head coach Jay Martin. "Kyle Baum has been playing great the last few games and I was really happy to see him rewarded with a goal tonight. Colton (Bloecher) had a great game, Lonnie (Barnes) played well, and Evan (Lee) and Drew (Pang) really played well in the back."
Ohio Wesleyan outshot Wabash, 22-10. Beemiller finished with 2 saves in recording the shutout, the Bishops' third in a row. Jennings made 10 saves for the Little Giants.
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