Lords break through stingy Wittenberg defense

Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- Averaging 3.63 goals per game and coming off a 7-0 win against Allegheny College, the Kenyon College men's soccer team was slowed down a bit at Wittenberg University on Friday night. The strong Tigers defense, however, couldn't keep Kenyon down, as the Lords' persistence paid off in a 2-0 North Coast Athletic Conference win.

As prolific as the Kenyon offense had been, the Lords knew Friday's game would not be a breeze. Heading into the contest, the Wittenberg defense allowed just 1.15 goals per game with goalkeeper Jason Bowen accounting for three shutouts and a .903 saves percentage in six games played.

Although Kenyon held the better of possession during the first half, the Tigers defense didn't yield much of anything, resulting in what was a rather uneventful 45 minutes. Each team managed three shots on goal and each keeper made a save on those opportunities in the first half.

When play resumed in the second half, the Lords tallied the first goal on a free kick taken by Aidan Burns. In the 52nd minute, Scott Upton drove the right side and drew a foul. The Lords free kick came just outside the right corner of the Tigers' box. From that spot, Burns ripped a left-footed shot, perfectly placed around a wall of three defenders and into the top left corner of the Wittenberg net.

The goal for Burns, a sophomore, was not only his first of the season, but the first of his collegiate career.

Thirty minutes later, the Kenyon men tacked on an insurance goal. From the right side, Gerardo Martinez gained possession with his back to the goal. When he spun to his left, he saw Sam Carson streaking, unmarked, through the center of the box. Martinez then delivered a perfect pass that Carson drilled into the left side of the Tigers' net.

The goal was Carson's second of the season and the assist was Martinez's team-best fifth of the season.

In all, the Lords outshot the Tigers, 19-3.

The win improved Kenyon's records to 7-1-1 overall and 2-0-0 in NCAC play. The loss dropped Wittenberg to 6-3-2 overall and 1-1-0 in conference contests.

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Players Mentioned

#19 Aidan Burns: D; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#4 Sam Carson: F; 5' 8"; Senior

#10 Scott Upton: F; 5' 9"; Senior

#8 Gerardo Martinez: M; 5' 7"; First-Year

Players Mentioned

#19 Aidan Burns
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: D

#4 Sam Carson
: 5' 8"; Senior
: F

#10 Scott Upton
: 5' 9"; Senior
: F

#8 Gerardo Martinez
: 5' 7"; First-Year
: M