COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Playing a man down for most of the second half, the Ohio Dominican men's soccer team was unable to complete the comeback, falling 3-2 to Findlay at home on Sunday afternoon.

The Panthers scored the opening goal of the match after a Findlay foul in the 18-yard box. Freshman Ryan Kasprzak (Hilliard, OH) capitalized on the foul, and drained the penalty shot in the upper left corner of the net in the 30th minute.

Just over one minute later, the Oilers (7-4-0, 6-3-0 GLIAC) tied the match at 1-1 with a goal off a corner kick. The two sides would stay knotted at 1-1 going into the intermission.

In the 63rd minute, sophomore Michael Mueller (Aurora, IL) was given his second yellow card of the match, resulting in a red card and disqualification, leaving the Panthers with just 10 players on the field. Off the ensuing free kick, Findlay would take its first lead of the contest at 2-1, with a goal off a rebounded save.

Still down a man, the Panthers were able to fight back and tie the match at 2-2 in the 66th minute. Senior Caleb Wilson (Reynoldsburg, OH) finished inside the box on a free kick from 30 yards out, which was taken by freshman Jorge Aldalla (Whitehall, OH).

The Oilers, however would add a third goal in the 84th minute off another corner kick, taking a 3-2 lead. As part of the physical play throughout, UF was given a red card for a foul in the 86th minute.

ODU pressured the Oiler defense down the stretch taking four shots, but three would be blocked before getting the net minder, and junior Michael Fragoulis (Chios, Greece) had his shot go wide right.

The physical match saw each side record 21 fouls for a total 42. ODU was assessed four yellow cards and one red card, while UF was booked for one red and two yellow cards.

The Oilers outshot the Panthers (0-9-2, 0-8-1 GLIAC) 15-12, while also holding a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal. Four Panthers posted multiple shots in the match, including Wilson, Fragoulis, junior Shane Facemyer (Sunbury, OH), and freshman Tyler Thomas (Granville, OH).

ODU will hit the road next weekend as they first travel to face Saginaw Valley State at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, October 16.

 Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu