ADA, Ohio -- In a season-opening battle of nationally-ranked teams, the No. 13-ranked Ohio Northern University Polar Bears used a pair of penalty-kick goals to record a 4-2 victory over the No. 5-ranked Kenyon College Owls on Friday night at Kerscher Stadium.

Kenyon made the first move, scoring the contest's first goal in the 17th minute. Following a long throw-in from the right sideline, the ball was booted around the Polar Bears' box. It eventually trickled out to sophomore Matt Nguyen, who loaded up his left foot and scorched a shot into the left side of the Ohio Northern net.

Roughly four minutes later, the Polar Bears received their first penalty kick of the game. Will Shaffer converted the attempt and tied things up.

Before the half, Shaffer struck again. This time he paired up with his younger brother, Alex, who assisted him on the goal, one that crossed the Kenyon line in the 41st minute.

The Polar Bears then doubled their lead in the 65th minute after Brenden Gervers unleashed a long free kick that was perfectly placed into the upper left corner of the Owls' net.

Down, but not out, Kenyon answered in the next minute of play. That's when Eamon Dujakovich worked the left side of the Polar Bear box, dribbled around two defenders and uncorked a shot inside the left post.

With roughly 25 minutes to play and some momentum on their side, things quickly changed again for Kenyon when Ohio Northern earned another penalty kick. This time Ryan Sommerfeld took the shot, scored, gave Ohio Northern a 4-2 lead and, with just eight minutes left, basically put the game away.

Throughout the game, Ohio Northern outshot Kenyon 20-8. 

The Owls will head home, regroup and prepare for their home opener on Sunday against No.23-ranked John Carroll University.