WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Kenyon College men's soccer team used a first-half goal from sophomore Max Taylor to post a 1-0 victory against the Transylvania University Pioneers in Saturday's first round of the NCAA Division III men's soccer tournament.

The win puts Kenyon's season record at 16-2-3 and pushes the Lords into a second round game against the Otterbein University Cardinals, who defeated Medaille College 2-0 earlier Saturday. The Lords and Cardinals will square off Sunday at 7:00 pm at Otterbein's Memorial Stadium.

Kenyon got off to a bit of a sluggish start while trying to make adjustments to overcome the loss of both Woo Jeon, who didn't play due to concussion protocol, and Henry Myers, who left the game early with a knee injury.

Transylvania, which finished its season with a 17-2-0 record, took advantage of the Lords early problems and fired off the game's first serious threat. Right around the game's 19-minute mark, Riley Calhoon blasted a right-to-left shot that just went wide. It was one of very few opportunities for the Pioneers in the first half who attempted just one more in the first stanza.


The Lords weathered the storm and retaliated with the game's lone goal with 1:17 left on the clock. A Gunner Found corner kick was deflected out by the Pioneers defense and came to Taylor who headed it back into the right corner of the net. It was his first career goal.

In the second half, the Lords' defense swarmed Transylvania's offensive attack. The only attempt that neared twine for Transylvania came at 79th minute. A shot from Tyler Joy-Brandon from the middle of the box deflected off the crossbar. After that, the Pioneers never found another shot.

By the end of the match, Kenyon had out-shot Transylvania 18-5.

Tomorrow's match against Otterbein will be the second meeting this season between the teams. Kenyon notched a 4-1 win against the Cardinals on September 6 in Gambier.