GAMBIER, Ohio – The Kenyon defense limited Maryville (TN) College to just four shots en route to a 3-0 win in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament at Mavec Field. The victory improved the team's record to 17-1-2 and set up a second-round match against Carnegie Mellon University tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Mavec. Earlier this year, the Lords and Tartans played to a 1-1 double-overtime draw.
On a 28-degree day with snow falling for the first time in Gambier, the Lords chalked up their seventh-straight opening-round NCAA tourney victory dating back to 2010 versus York College.
Kenyon wasted little time as it got on the scoreboard just 4:10 in. After
Greg McNeer wrestled the ball away from a Maryville player, the senior drove down the left end line and his hard cross deflected off a Scots player into the left side of the net.
The Lords nearly doubled their lead five minutes later as
Brice Koval's header hit the right post, and the rebound to
Philippe Stengel resulted in a blocked shot.
Maryville's best shot in the first half came to Chris Fernandez, however, his attempt at 29:11 was blocked inside the 18.
In the second half, the Lords' offense really got in gear as they outshot the visitors 12-1.
A little over seven minutes into the second half, Kenyon extended its lead. Stengel and
Max Taylor each had consecutive blocked shots, but the third came back to Taylor who shot back into the left corner. It was the second straight year Taylor scored in the tournament and was his fourth goal this season.
Kenyon added one more score as sophomore
Collyn Carpenter headed home a shot in the 79th minute.
As for the Scots, a header attempt from Randy Reichenberger with less than 10 minutes turned out to be the team's best but it missed just right off the net.
Tomorrow's matchup between the Lords and Tartans will be the fifth all-time meeting and first in the NCAA Tournament. Ticket prices for entry to Mavec Field this weekend are $7 for adults, $5 for students and $3 for children 17 and under. Students carrying a Kenyon ID will be admitted free.
