Perkins second half goal lifts No. 4 Men's Soccer over Kalamazoo (Mich.)

By: Andrew Korba

ADA -- Senior Stephen Perkins scored at the 66:49 mark of the second half to lead the No. 4-ranked Ohio Northern men's soccer team to a 1-0 win over non-conference foe Kalamazoo (Mich.) on Saturday afternoon at the ONU Soccer Field.

The Polar Bears remained undefeated at 3-0 on the season, while the Hornets fall to 1-2.

The teams battled through a physical first half, with neither team scoring.

ONU jumped on the board when junior Chuck D'Imperio sent a ball into the box.

Senior Jeremy Barnes headed the ball and Perkins controlled the ball in a crowd and flicked it into the back of the net for the lone goal of the match.

The Hornets tried to mount a comeback and had a chance in the 75th minute, but sophomore Chad Smith blocked a shot attempt.

ONU was able to deny any more threats from Kalamazoo the rest of the match.

Freshman Evan Bader (3-0) recorded his second straight shutout by making four saves.

Beau Prey made one save for Kalamazoo and is now 1-1 on the season.

"Kalamazoo is an excellent team," head coach Brent Ridenour said. "It was good for us to get a close match today and pick up a win. We are very content to pick up another shutout."

The Hornets held the advantage in shots (14-10) and shots on goal (4-2).

Northern finished with five corner kicks, while Kalamazoo had three.

Ohio Northern returns to action on Tuesday, when it welcomes Wittenberg to the ONU Soccer Field at 4 pm.