GAMBIER, Ohio – The Kenyon College Lords (16-1) survived a tough match against Oberlin College (11-7-1) and prevailed by a 1-0 score Wednesday afternoon in a North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal match at Mavec Field. For junior keeper Sam Clougher, it was his 33rd career clean sheet which moved him past Marshall Chapin '94 for most shutouts in school history.
 
With the win, Kenyon advances to the tourney final and will face either third-seeded DePauw University or second-seeded Ohio Wesleyan University this coming Saturday at home.  A year ago, the Lords knocked off OWU for the program's first tournament title victory.
 
Fourteen minutes into the contest, the Lords found all the scoring they needed.
 
With the ball bouncing around the top of the box, forward Tony Amolo scored his conference-leading 16th goal of the year as he corralled the ball, settled and fired into the left corner.
 
Oberlin nearly responded in the 28th minute with the equalizer. John Ingham fired from the left side but Clougher was there and knocked the ball away to end the scoring chance.
 
The Yeomen had one more on-goal attempt in the 37th minute but nothing came of it.
 
In the second half, Kenyon tested Oberlin's stout defense with five shots in the opening nine minutes, including a look from Amolo. But all but one of those shots either went wide or was blocked.
 
While the Lords' offense wasn't as crisp as it hoped to be, the defense was solid again. Kenyon yielded just three shots to the Yeomen in the second half.
 
Oberlin's last real scoring chance came with about a minute to go in regulation. A long ball was picked up by Ingham along the left side and he lofted a shot that just was outside the left post.
 
There wouldn't any more shots after that.
 
The Lords held a 16-8 advantage in shots and a 6-2 lead in corners. Clougher recorded a pair of saves as well.
 
Fans that plan on coming to Mavec Field for Saturday's Tournament final can gain entry as follows: Ticket prices are $7 for adults and $3 for children and students without a valid NCAC ID.  Any NCAC student with a valid NCAC Institution ID will be admitted free of charge.