PAINESVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican men's soccer team punched its ticket into the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament Final by defeating Cedarville University 1-0 in their semifinal matchup on Thursday evening at Jack Britt Memorial Stadium in Painesville, Ohio.

Both teams traded chances early as each club looked to establish supremacy. Forward Khalif Hassan (Columbus, Ohio) challenged goalkeeper Jared Zacharias early on, forcing him to make one of his two saves on the afternoon. Sophomore Alvaro Benito (Columbus, Ohio) also turned aside an early scoring opportunity in the 15^th minute to keep the game deadlocked at 0-0.

The Panthers broke through in the 21^st minute as midfielder Jack Hayes (New Albany, Ohio) served a ball in on a corner kick that was headed in by Shingai Nindi (Shanghai, China) to give the Panthers the 1-0 advantage.

#ODUMS l 21' l GOAL! @ODU_MensSoccer Shingai Nindi tallies goal No. 7️⃣ and puts the Black and Gold up 1-0 against Cedarville. #ClawsOut pic.twitter.com/2IDDAG9s3T

— ODU Panthers (@ODUAthletics) November 11, 2021

Both teams traded chances through the remainder of the half but retreated into their respective locker rooms with the Black and Gold leading 1-0 at the break.

Nindi attempted to capture a second goal just three minutes removed from halftime. The sophomore forward challenged Zacharias but the goalkeeper stood tall to deny the opportunity.

Benito remained busy, turning away two key Yellow Jackets scoring opportunities with just a half-hour remaining in the contest to keep the lead intact.

A shot from sophomore Jacob Gruber (Westerville, Ohio) nearly gave the Panthers a second goal but it was cleared off the line by Cedarville to keep the deficit to one. With time ticking away in the contest, the Yellow Jackets pressed for one final scoring opportunity but the Panthers defense held strong, lifting the visitors to a 1-0 and clinching a berth into the G-MAC Championship Match.

IT'S A FINAL! @ODU_MensSoccer will play for the @GreatMidwestAC CHAMPIONSHIP on Saturday afternoon. #ClawsOut pic.twitter.com/HXqXld8kBm

— ODU Panthers (@ODUAthletics) November 11, 2021

Following the contest head coach Willy Merrick spoke with Sports Information Director Ralph Schudel to offer his thoughts on the contest. 

Hear the thoughts of @ODU_MensSoccer head coach Willy Merrick as the Panthers will compete for the @GreatMidwestAC championship on Saturday afternoon in Painesville, Ohio. #ClawsOut pic.twitter.com/YCwwnuUhpP

— ODU Panthers (@ODUAthletics) November 12, 2021

UP NEXT

ODU returns to Painesville, Ohio on Saturday afternoon to battle the winner of the matchup between Lake Erie College and Walsh University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM.

Contact: Ralph Schudel
schudelr@ohiodominican.edu