Box Score Ohio Wesleyan 6, Wittenberg 0Senior forward Brian Schaefer (Chatham, N.J.) scored the game-winning goal and junior forward Kyle Baum (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) contributed 2 goals and an assist as Ohio Wesleyan remained unbeaten in North Coast Athletic Conference play with a win over Wittenberg on Saturday at the Jay Martin Soccer Complex.
The Bishops had the first scoring chance of the game, earning a corner kick just over 5 minutes into the action. Junior midfielder Phoenix Neitzelt (Delaware/Hayes) had a header go wide of the goal, and Schaefer followed with a shot that was blocked by the Tiger defense. Schaefer followed the ball and teed up for another shot, but it went right of the Wittenberg goal.
Ohio Wesleyan had more success on its next opportunity, with senior back Mason Hoge (Mason) sending a long ball ahead to Schaefer, who curled a shot inside the right post in the 15th minute.
Baum had a chance to give the Bishops a 2-0 lead when senior back Evan Lee (Toledo/St. John's) made a run into the penalty area and got past Tiger keeper Jack Snider. Lee centered the ball to Baum near the top of the penalty area, but Baum's shot was cleared off the line by a Tiger defender.
Three minutes later, Baum set up freshman forward Will Sharer (Avon) on a goal that gave the Bishops a 2-0 lead.
Freshman back Luke Gabbert (Lewis Center/Olentangy Orange) knocked home a restart from 25 yards to increase the margin to 3-0 with 4:31 left in the first half.
Junior goalkeeper Ben Farynowski (Grandview Heights) set up the Bishops' fourth goal, sending the ball downfield to senior midfielder Lonnie Barnes (Champaign, Ill./Centennial), who played it ahead to Baum, whose shot found the back of the net with 3:03 to play in the period.
Senior midfielder Matt DiCesare (Westerville/St. Francis DeSales) preserved the shutout in the 54th minute, clearing a shot by Wittenberg's Alberto Zaragoza off the line.
Baum's second goal of the game, courtesy of an assist by sophomore back Trey Olsen (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North), made it 5-0 in the 60th minute, and freshman forward Lucas Farmer (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) wrapped up the evening's scoring in the 81st minute when a pass by senior forward Matt Cohen (Cincinnati/Seven Hills) freed him on a breakaway.
"The last three games, we've scored 14 goals and haven't given up one," said Bishop head coach Jay Martin. "We're getting better. A month ago, I was worried about this team with all the injuries (we had), but we're getting guys back and that's helping. I think Evan (Lee), Lonnie (Barnes), and Brian (Schaefer) are starting to pick up their play a little bit, and this is the time of year to pick it up. If we can start to take care of some of the little soccer-related things, we're going to be tough to beat."
Ohio Wesleyan outshot Wittenberg, 31-6. Farynowski made 1 save in recording the shutout for Ohio Wesleyan. Snider made one save during the first half and Hunter Bock had 4 saves during the second half for Wittenberg.
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