Len Mills

In a physical North Coast Athletic Conference match between two league rivals, sixth-ranked Wittenberg University scored a pair of second-half goals to pick up a 2-1 victory over the Denison men's soccer team at Barclay-Thomsen Field.

The opening 45 minutes was a physical and competitive affair for both schools. After a lengthy feeling out process between the two squads, the Big Red had a trio of scoring opportunities in the final 21 minutes of the opening half. The best scoring chance in the period came with 21 minutes remaining. Sophomore Tyler Dolanch (Monongahela, Pa./Ringgold) threaded a pass to junior Peter Shorten (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy). Shorten took the pass and lobbed the ball past the challenging Tiger goalkeeper Michael Lambeck, but the junior's empty net shot bounced just wide of the goal.

Later in the period, senior David Folt (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) settled the ball off a corner attempt and released a shot that sailed wide left. With roughly 2:30 minutes left in the first frame, freshman Preston Wagner (Toronto, Ontario/TASIS American School (UK) redirected a corner kick that deflected off a Wittenberg defender towards the net. The potential goal was robbed from Wagner when Lambeck made an outstanding save from his back right at the goal line.

In the 54th minute, the Tigers broke the scoreless tie when Matt Fleissner sent a cross to Shane Price who chipped the ball over the head of goalie Kevin Donahue (Riverside, Conn./Greenwich). Wittenberg added to their lead 10 minutes later when a Michael Condon free kick from inside the midfield circle was headed by Ryan Ruef past the jumping Donahue.

DU was able to cut the lead in half when a fly in ball was settled and one timed into the back of the net by sophomore Len Mills (Pittsburgh, Pa.Upper St. Clair). The goal was Mills fifth of the season and increased his consecutive points streak to four games.

After being outshot 8-4 in the first half, the Wittenberg offense roared back to end the contest with a 15-14 advantage. The Big Red attempted nine corner kicks while the Tigers only tried four corners. Donahue ended the match with seven saves while his counter part Lambeck recorded four stops.

The loss drops Denison to 5-7-3 overall and 2-4-1 in the NCAC while Wittenberg improves to 14-1 on the year and 5-1 in the league. DU returns to action on Wednesday (Oct. 29) when they travel to Hiram College for a 4 p.m. NCAC contest.