Men's Soccer 08-09

Len Mills

A goal with under two minutes to play in regulation propelled Earlham College to a 2-1 victory over the Denison men's soccer team on Wednesday night at Barclay-Thomsen Field. The loss drops the Big Red to 4-5-3 overall and 1-2-1 in North Coast Athletic Conference play.

The Quakers' fast paced offense was led by sophomore Bannett Assingura who tallied both scores in the victory. Assingura's quick feet and fast play proved to be the difference in the match.

Denison took an early 1-0 lead when junior Peter Shorten (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) and sophomore Len Mills (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) hooked up for a goal at the 4:41 mark. Shorten threaded the ball through the Earlham defense to Mills who fired a cross-goal shot that went past the Quakers' diving goalkeeper Kyle Thompson.

In the 20th minute, Assingura tied the game when he weaved through a host of DU defenders and fired a shot past goalie Kevin Donahue (Riverside, Conn./Greenwich). The sophomore's shot struck the near post, bounced off the back of Donahue and crossed the line to knot the game at 1-1.

The second half of play was full of quality scoring opportunities for both squads. With 38 minutes remaining in the second half Shorten sent a ball that deflected off the hands of Thompson. Freshman Chris Olson (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows) unloaded a shot off the rebound that skied over the cross bar.

Freshman Matt Kepler (Chatham, N.J., Chatham) kept the game tied for the Big Red when he chased down and cleared a ball that was heading towards the empty net. Both teams had a shot that struck the cross bar and bounced violently up and down in front of the goal line but failed to cross.

With time winding down in regulation, Assingura unleashed a shot from 18 yards out that found its way through a host of players and into the far lower corner of the goal. Assingura scored the game-winning goal with 1:14 left in the second half.

Denison outshot Earlham 20-14 and attempted 14 corner kicks to the Quakers one. Donahue made three stops while Thompson had nine saves.

The Big Red returns to action Saturday (Oct. 18) when they travel to Oberlin College for an NCAC match. Game time is slated for 4 p.m.