Defiance wins tough match against Manchester

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance Men's Soccer team picked up a 1-0 win over Manchester University in a physical Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference match Tuesday afternoon at Winsper-Knobel Field.

The Yellow Jackets (7-7, 2-2 HCAC) and Spartans (1-10-2, 0-4-1 HCAC) combined for 23 fouls, three yellow cards and a red card in the 90-minute match.

In the 12th minute, Kevin Arriola (New Lebanon, Ohio / Dixie) put the Yellow Jackets on the scoreboard for what would be the game winner. After a Manchester foul, Drew Metz (Northwood, Ohio / Lake) placed a free kick into the box and Arriola was able to get his head on the ball and redirect it into the net for his eighth goal of the season.

Metz picked up his third assist of the year on the play.

The Yellow Jackets out shot Manchester 17-10 overall in the game. Manchester picked up a red card in the 52nd minute of the game.

Defiance dominated much of the first half and Manchester was only able to only take one shot in the first half. The Yellow Jackets had several scoring chances in the half and were just inches from a few more goals. Arriola nearly put DC on the scoreboard in the fourth minute with a rocket shot that hit off the cross bar.

Just before the half, Victor Trifiro found the woodwork again for DC, hitting a shot off of the right post. In the second half, Arriola made it three frames on the day after connecting the other post with a shot.

Sean Roberts (Canal Winchester, Ohio / Canal Winchester) continued his great play in goal for the Yellow Jackets, stopping the shots on frame in the second half, as well as cutting out a couple of scoring chances from crosses and loose balls in the box.

Roberts came away with his biggest save of the game with just 20 seconds remaining, turning away a quality scoring chance from Manchester that threatened extra time.

Defiance will remain home for its next game on Saturday against Franklin. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.