Kenyon ready to kick off NCAA Tournament play

GAMBIER, Ohio -- For the 11th consecutive season, the Kenyon College men's soccer team earned a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. This year, the Owls are one of 64 teams to make the national bracket and one of 21 teams to gain entry via an at-large berth.

The path ahead for the Owls begins with Friday's first-round game at home against Spalding University. That contest is slated for an 11 a.m. start at Mavec Field and will be followed by a 1:30 p.m game between Hamilton College and Calvin University. Winners of those contests will return to Mavec Field on Saturday for a 1 p.m. second-round showdown.

Prior to its current run of 11 straight showings, Kenyon made nine trips to the NCAA dance, giving the program a total of 20 appearances since its first in 1990. The team has had great postseason success, too. Over the last 11 seasons, Kenyon won its first round game every time and got through the second round seven times.

The 2024 version of the Kenyon team will go into NCAA postseason play with a 12-3-3 record and a No. 14 national rank. The Owls, ranked as high as No. 2 earlier this season, played six games against nationally-ranked opponents throughout the year and posted a 3-2-1 against those opponents. Both losses, within those six games, were dealt by rival Denison University, which ended Kenyon's five-game win streak by besting the Owls, 2-1, in the semifinal round of last week's North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

The 2024 Owls average 2.06 goals per game, while allowing an average of 1.00 goals per game. The Kenyon attack has launched 251 shots this season and the defense has held opponents to 149.

The Owls' leading goal scorer is senior Alem Duratovic. He's got 18 points on eight goals and two assists, but, due to injury, has not played in a game since mid-October. With Duratovic out of the lineup, classmate Eamon Dujakovich has come on strong, scoring four times in the team's last six games. He currently ranks second on the team with 11 points on five goals and an assist. Additionally, seniors Jacob Lazarus and Gerardo Martinez have contributed five goals and five assists, respectively.

Spalding, which carries an 11-7-2 record, is not a ranked team and did not play any ranked teams during the season. The Golden Eagles worked their way into the NCAA Tournament by winning the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Tournament for the first time in program history.

The Golden Eagles, making their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament, have not had much luck against Kenyon. The teams had four regular-season meetings between 2013 and 2022 with Kenyon taking all four wins, including a lopsided 8-2 victory two seasons ago.

Spalding averages 2.50 goals per game while giving up 1.65 goals per game. Mustafa Almohammedawi is the leader of the team's prolific offense. He's got 14 goals, 5 assists, and 33 points in 20 games played. Eddie Mendez-Perez has chalked up seven goals and seven assists, while both Sam Mulume and Forte Bess scored five times.

In Friday's other first-round match, Hamilton brings a 7-6-3 record into tournament play and will face Calvin, owners of a 14-5-2 mark. Hamilton lost in the quarterfinal round of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) tournament, but the Continentals still managed to earn an at-large berth into the NCAA tournament. Calvin gained automatic entry by winning the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Tournament for the 11th time in program history.

Hamilton has made four previous showings on the national stage, but this will be its first since the 2007 campaign. The Continentals average 1.75 goals per game and allow 1.63 goals per game. Their leading scorer is Luke Peplowski, who registered eight goals, two assists and 18 points in 15 games played.

Calvin is an NCAA Tournament veteran. The Knights are making their 21st appearance, including their 11th straight. Last year, they got to the third round before being bounced via penalty kicks by University of Chicago. This year's Knights team, which is led offensively by Alex White, scores 2.38 goals per game and yields 1.19 goals per game. White will check into the tournament with 16 goals, 6 assists and 38 points.

Single game tournament ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $3 for children ages 3-12. Kenyon students with a valid student ID will be admitted free of charge to games featuring the Owls. Please be aware that only cash will be accepted at the ticket gate.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Jacob Lazarus: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#21 Alem Duratovic: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#4 Eamon Dujakovich: M; 5' 9"; Senior

#10 Gerardo Martinez: M; 5' 7"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#23 Jacob Lazarus
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#21 Alem Duratovic
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#4 Eamon Dujakovich
: 5' 9"; Senior
: M

#10 Gerardo Martinez
: 5' 7"; Senior
: M