No. 22 Men's Soccer downs John Carroll in Penalty Kicks to win OAC Tournament Title

By: Ashley Birchmeier

ADA — The Ohio Northern men's soccer team defeated John Carroll Saturday evening to win the OAC Tournament title out scoring the Blue Streaks 4-3 in penalty kicks at Kerscher Stadium.

With the win, ONU will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and their opponent will be announced Monday Nov. 9 at 1:30 pm.

This will be the Polar Bears eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, with the most recent trip coming in 2013.

The Polar Bears move to 17-4-1 overall, while John Carroll concludes its season at 14-4-2.

The match is officially a tie with ONU advancing on penalty kicks.

After falling behind 2-0 the Polar Bears came roaring back as sophomore Brandon Homan fired off a shot in the 83rd minute to put ONU on the board.

With less then a minute to play in regulation, Northern would strike again as junior Austin Horton played a free kick into the 6 yard box that bounced off the post and was collected by junior David Janusz to tie the game at 2-2.

The Polar Bears would out-shoot the Blue Streaks in overtime 4-3 but were unable to capitalize.

In the penalty kick session, Northern junior Matt Kinkopf would score first, followed by a huge save from sophomore Dean McNeil to give ONU the 1-0 advantage.

The Polar Bears would go on to miss the second penalty kick, followed by a John Carroll make tying penalty kicks at 2 a piece.

As the pressure began to mount the Polar Bears stayed strong as sophomore J.J. Fortner and juniors Patrick Sabol and Dustin Lorenzo were all able to find goals en route to the 4-3 penalty kick victory.

John Carroll scored early in the contest, claiming goals in the 43rd minute and the 65th to take the 2-0 advantage.

The Polar Bears edged the Blue Streaks in shots (23-18) and corners (13-2) in the contest.

"John Carroll played incredible, hats off to them," said head coach Brent Ridenour. "I am very proud of our guys for playing tough and never quitting."