No. 4 Ohio Northern scored two goals in less than two minutes in the first half Thursday and went on to defeat Wilmington College 6-2 in an Ohio Athletic Conference men’s soccer match at Townsend Field.
The game was postponed from Wednesday, and because the match didn’t reach the 70 minute mark, per NCAA rules it was restarted from the beginning.
“We found ways to make mistakes and they were a clinic in their finishing,” said Wilmington head coach Bud Lewis. “They were disciplined, struck the ball well and got numbers in the box. That is what they do. We battled hard. I don’t like the score, but I like the fact we didn’t give up and fought to the last bit.”
Ohio Northern took a 1-0 lead once the two teams reconvened Thursday. Carl Bergstrom tied the score at 1-1 with an unassisted goal in the 35 minute.
However, a penalty in the box 90 seconds later swung momentum in favor of the Polar Bears. ONU converted the penalty kick to reclaim the lead, and added to the lead two minutes later.
“Nick (Baker) was trying to make a big play, and it didn’t work out,” said Lewis. “We gave up an easy goal that way. I think he played stellar today. With the exception of a few times, he made some great saves and was real solid in his play. We are talking about a great team. There is a reason why they are where they are at right now.”
The scoring pattern remained the same in the second half. ONU went up 4-1 then Anton Holmqvist made it 4-2 in the 66th minute with an assisted from Bergstrom.
The Polar Bears then scored the final two goals of the match.
Senior goalkeeper Nick Baker finished with seven saves on 13 shots.
Fourteen fouls were called with WC begin called for 12 of them, and the Fightin’ Quakers were given all three yellow cards.
Wilmington (4-9-2 overall, 1-5 OAC) travels to Mount Union 7 p.m. Saturday.
The win puts Ohio Northern at 14-0-3 overall and 4-0-2 in the OAC. Wilmington falls to 4-9-2 overall and 1-5 in league play.
