GAMBIER, Ohio -- The Kenyon College men's soccer team, ranked No. 19 in the country and picked to finish first in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), opened up their season at home against No. 15-ranked Ohio Northern University. The Owls won the match 3-2 in an intense matchup, which had a playoff feel despite it being late August in Gambier.
The temperature was scorching hot throughout the evening, leading to many substitutions by both teams. Additionally, the teams had to weather a weather delay caused by lightning and surprise showers, but the conditions did not put a damper on the highly anticipated early-season matchup.
Senior Alem Duratovic, who led the Owls in goals last season, opened up the scoring by drilling a penalty kick into the back of the net just over 12 minutes into the match. Duratovic, playing his final season for the Owls, has built a phenomenal career and has the chance to climb up the record books to become one of Kenyon's best all-time goal scorers. After adding a second goal later in the game, the forward moved into a tie for the seventh most goals (39) in Kenyon history and the ninth most points (82).
Kenyon's early lead was erased in the 22nd minute when Brenden Gervers of Ohio Northern weaved a free kick past a slew of Kenyon defenders beyond the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper. The Polar Bears maintained their momentum, taking the lead a few minutes later after a corner kick led to a tap-in score. The Owls found themselves down 2-1 with about 16 minutes left in the half, but, looking to avoid a repeat of last season's upset defeat at the hands of ONU, the home team started to turn it on.
With around one minute left in the half, Kenyon tied up the score. The play began with a magnificent pass from senior Ben Hitt, who was deep outside the box, to first-year Gabriel Romanenko, who soared through the air for a header that floated over the goalie's outstretched arms and into the back net. Just like that, the Owls had tied the game up at 2-2 heading into the half.
By halftime, the players on both sides were battling the August heat, yet they found the energy to compete at their best in the second half. With around 25 minutes remaining in the match, senior Gerardo Martinez delivered a beautiful corner kick into Ohio Northern territory. Romanenko nearly connected on a second goal as his header off of the set piece forced a fantastic save, but the loose ball ended up in front of Duratovic, who headed it into the net for his second goal of the game. Duratovic's second score put Kenyon ahead 3-2, and the Owls just had to play strong defense to preserve the lead and take home an important victory against a strong team to start their year.
Ohio Northern was determined to fight their way back into it, however, and they applied strong pressure throughout the final minutes of the contest. The Kenyon defense stood firm, as Hitt, Matt Nguyen, Romanenko, and other Owls kept the Polar Bears at bay. With just over five minutes remaining, senior goalkeeper Jack Pedreschi used his 6-foot 5-inch frame and leaped up high into the air, tipping a shot away at the last second. Pedreschi, a four-year starter for the Owls, a team captain, and a program staple, helped seal the game late as the Owls prevented a last-second stunner on a late ONU corner kick.
The 3-2 victory marks a great start to the season for the Owls, who will look to build upon and carry their momentum into their next matchup, another tough test. Kenyon will head to University Heights, Ohio, on Sunday to face John Carroll University (1-0), who is receiving votes in the national standings, on the road at 1:30 p.m.
