Men's Soccer 08-09

Drew Lash scored two first half goals helping DU past Cedarville, 2-1.

This may be a sign of good things to come for the Big Red men's soccer team.

Drew Lash (Ballwin, Mo./Whitfield School) converted goals on the first two shots attempted by Denison on Friday, resulting in a 2-1 victory by the Big Red over Cedarville at Barclay-Thomsen Field.

Lash got things going early when he chipped a ball past Cedarville goalkeeper Kevin Bender right in the front of the goal off a nice feed from first-year Chris Olson (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows).  Just over 10 minutes later Lash would strike again as he beat Bender for the second time, giving DU a two goal advantage.

The Yellow Jackets would get back into the game in the 38th minute when Matt George sent a cross which Denison goalkeeper Kevin Donahue (Riverside, Conn./Greenwich) attempted to intercept.  George snuck the ball past Donahue and Jordan Clark was left with an open net from less than five yards out.

Denison led in total shots, 6-5 after one half but the second 45 minutes would be a different story.  The Big Red went on the defensive and Cedarville had a number of scoring opportunities turned away by the DU defenders and Donahue in goal. 

Things got especially tense in the 83rd minute when Cedarville's Matt Niemiec had two consecutive shots on goal that were hit directly at Donahue.  The Big Red would hang on through the final five minutes to lock up the victory.

Cedarville outshot Denison 16-11 and both goalkeepers posted four saves each.

The Big Red will travel to John Carroll on Sept. 2 before hosting Olivet College on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.