Head coach Brian Haley and the Heidelberg University men’s soccer team took on Ohio Athletic Conference foe John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, where the Berg has been successful in previous seasons. The Student Princes (9-6-1, 4-2-1 OAC) sat in fourth place in the OAC, while the Blue Streaks (8-6-1, 4-1-2 OAC) were in third. The Berg and the Blue Streaks battle through two overtimes, but no victor was decided. The match finished in a draw, 1-1.
Sophomore keeper Matthew Stevens (South Lyon, MI) tallied a season high eleven saves against the Blue Streaks, which brings his season total to 70.
Freshman Ryan Homoki (Grafton/Midview) recorded one shot for the Berg against the Blue Streaks.
Sophomores Tyler Eoff (Oak Harbor) and Nico Samaneigo (Huron) each recorded a shot each for the Student Princes against John Carroll.
The Blue Streaks took the lead early with a goal in the third minute. John Carroll was given another scoring opportunity in the 30th minute with a penalty kick. The penalty kick slammed off of the right post, out of the reach of Stevens, and was promptly cleared by the Berg.
As a freshman, Koczak leads the team in scoring with eight goals. Koczak has also tabbed one assists and 39 shots, 20 of which have been on goal.
Five minutes into the first overtime, the Blue Streaks earned a free kick just outside of the box, but the set piece hit the Heidelberg wall of defenders and bounced out of the Berg’s defensive third.
Following the free kick opportunity, Stevens kept John Carroll out of the net with another stellar save, forcing a second overtime. The second overtime was a lot of back and fourth play with a few glimpses of a go ahead goal for both sides. Heidelberg had an offensive opportunity late in the period, but could not capitalize.
The draw at John Carroll brings the Heidelberg men to 9-6-2 overall and 4-2-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
The Heidelberg men’s soccer team will return to action on Saturday, October 27, when they return to their home to take on the Purple Raiders of the University of Mount Union. Kickoff from the Hidden Valley Soccer Complex in Tiffin, Ohio between the Berg and Mount Union is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.