November 6, 2009 – Athletics

The Ohio Wesleyan defense has had an epic season, allowing only 2 goals during regular-season play to set an NCAA all-divisions record.

Photo by Sara Tincher

Men’s Soccer to Host NCAC Tournament Final
Bishops Seek Eighth NCAC Tournament Championship

The North Coast Athletic Conference tournament championship game returns to a familiar setting when the Ohio Wesleyan men’s soccer team hosts Denison in this year’s final at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Roy Rike Field.

One could say that the NCAC tournament championship game, Ohio Wesleyan men’s soccer, and Roy Rike Field are almost inseparable. In the 10 seasons since the NCAC tournament began in 2000, the Bishops have advanced to the championship game eight times, with six of those games taking place at Roy Rike Field. In the five seasons since the NCAC tournament format changed to Wednesday-Saturday in 2005, the Bishops have reached the tournament championship game four times, with all four played at Roy Rike Field.

But while the Bishops will enjoy their hard-earned home-field advantage, they certainly will not be taking it for granted.

“I think it will be a difficult game,” says Ohio Wesleyan head coach Jay Martin. “Denison is playing well—they haven’t lost since we played them, and they held Kenyon to no goals twice in the last 10 days. They’re convinced they can win.”

Denison advanced to the championship game by defeating Kenyon, 1-0, on Wednesday. Denison finished second in the NCAC with a record of 6-1-2 and the Big Red are unbeaten in their last 7 games.

Ohio Wesleyan advanced to the championship game with a 2-1 win over Hiram on Wednesday. Ohio Wesleyan won the NCAC championship with a 9-0 record, extending its winning streak in NCAC games to 23 to tie the conference record set by Ohio Wesleyan from 1998-2001.

The Battling Bishops allowed only 2 goals during the regular season, setting an NCAA all-divisions record for fewest goals allowed in regular-season play, bettering the mark of 3 set by Macalester (Minnesota) in 1997 and matched by York (Pennsylvania) in 2008. The previous Ohio Wesleyan record was 5 goals allowed in 16 games during the 2006 season. Ohio Wesleyan has compiled 17 shutouts this season, breaking the school record of 16 set in 1991.

In this year’s regular-season game, the Bishops defeated Denison by a 2-0 count on Oct. 10 in Granville.

The winner of Saturday’s game will receive the NCAC’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III tournament.

– Mark Beckenbach