No. 18 Men's Soccer defeats No. 22 John Carroll 2-1 in key OAC battle

By: Andrew Korba

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- The No. 18 Ohio Northern men's soccer team topped No. 22-ranked John Carroll by a 2-1 score, in a matchup of the top two teams in the OAC on Saturday evening at Don Shula Stadium.

The Polar Bears are now 14-3-0 overall and move into a first place tie in the OAC with a 6-1-0 mark with the Blue Streaks, who fall to 13-3-0, 6-1-0.

The win also clinches a spot in the OAC Tournament for Northern.

ONU struck in the 25th minute when senior Jeremy Barnes stole the ball at midfield.

He then passed it to freshman Matt Kinkopf, who buried a shot into the back of the net, giving ONU a 1-0 lead.

Kinkopf is tied for the OAC lead and is tops on the team with 13 goals this season.

Freshman Austin Horton would add a huge insurance goal at the 76:26 mark to expand the Northern lead to 2-0.

John Carroll would stay aggressive and get on the board in the 88th minute, on a goal by Thor Erikson.

The Blue Streaks would take one more shot in the match, but it sailed wide.

Freshman Evan Bader made five saves in goal and improves to 14-3-0 on the season.

Chris Garbinsky recorded three saves in goal for JCU and falls to 7-1-0 on the year.

John Carroll held a 15-9 edge in shots and also took six shots on goal, compared to five for the Polar Bears.

ONU held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Ohio Northern will return to action on Tuesday, when it hosts Wilmington at Kerscher Stadium at 4 pm.