Men's Soccer wins Roger Taylor Classic with 3-1 win over host N.C. Wesleyan

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — The Ohio Northern men's soccer team defeated North Carolina Wesleyan by a 3-1 score to win the Roger Taylor Classic, Sunday afternoon at Scalf Field.

ONU completes the tournament with a perfect 2-0 record to improve to a 3-0 record, while the Bishops fall to 0-1-1.

Additionally, Polar Bear athletes claimed five of the 11 spots on the 2011 Roger Taylor All-Classic Team. Seniors Cory Dobkins, Abrim Mueller and Dustin Connor, along with juniors Nathan Bascom and Mac Church earned the honor.

Northern jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute when junior Cameron Johnson beat a defender and put in an unassisted goal, his second of the year.

N.C. Wesleyan tied the game at 1-1 in the 40th minute on a goal by Omar Kanten, assisted by Ritchie Duffie.

ONU then scored two unanswered goals, the first coming when Bascom notched his first goal of the year in the 52nd minute, unassisted.

Eleven minutes later, sophomore Jeremy Barnes recorded his first career goal on a free kick with assistance from Dobkins and pushed the lead to 3-1.

Junior goalie Mac Church made five saves to improve to 3-0 on the season in goal. Connor and Mueller anchored the defense that allowed just one goal in the tournament.

The Polar Bears out-shot the Bishops 16-9, with nine of those on goal compared to six for the Bishops.

Wilmington finished the Classic with a 0-1-1 record, while No. 3 Wisconsin-Oshkosh had a 1-1 record.

ONU will host its 2011 home opener Wednesday, facing off against Earlham (Ind.) at 4 p.m.