CEDARVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican men's soccer team kept their post season hopes alive on Tuesday night as they traveled to Cedarville, Ohio to battle the Yellow Jackets of Cedarville University in an AMC match-up of 5-3-1 teams. In cold, windy conditions, the Panthers escaped with a 3-2 win.
It didn't take long for the Panthers to earn their first scoring threat, as ODU was awarded a penalty kick in the 9th minute of the opening half. Scott Shrewsbury (Huber Heights, OH) stepped up to the line and buried home the first goal of the game. Cedarville immediately looked to answer the challenge from the visitors, as they tied the game in the 21st minute on a James Twinem goal assisted by Matt George. The remainder of the opening half finished tied at one.
With a result in mind, the Panthers opened the second half looking for their second lead of the game. In the 52nd minute senior Jason Hale (Powell, OH) headed home a free kick offering from Joey Held (Pataskala, OH) to give the Panthers the 2-1 lead. The Panthers made it 3-1 in the 59th minute on a goal from freshman Felix Darko (Reynoldsburg, OH) on a long assist from AJ Mueller (Dublin, OH). Cedarville saw a glimpse of hope in the 89th minute when Matt Niemiec scored his 10th goal of the season on a rebound penalty kick. The Panthers were able to defend for the final two minutes of play to earn their 6th AMC win of the season.
ODU's Eric Pfeifer (Westerville, OH) recorded five saves in a very physical contest that saw ODU move to 9-5-2 on the season.
The Panthers, return to action on Saturday, November 1st when they will travel to Amherst, New York to battle Daemen College in their final AMC game of the season. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
