Defiance Drops Season Opener

DEFIANCE, OHIO – The Defiance College men's soccer team fell short to Trine (Ind.) University by a score of 3-1 in the season and home opener at Winsper-Knobel Memorial Field.

The Yellow Jackets (0-1) quickly fell 1-0 in the game with a goal by the Thunder (1-0) eight minutes in. Defiance tried to fight back with a header that fell wide by freshman Josiah Nichols (Weston/Bowling Green) and another shot by fellow freshman Adam Ordel (Lima/Elida) that also sailed wide. The lone goal was all the scoring in the first 45 minutes as Defiance went into the break down, 1-0. 

About ten minutes into the second half, Trine scored another goal to add to the deficit and go up by the score of 2-0. Yellow Jacket goalkeeper Damien Koester (Englewood/Brookville), made a few great saves to keep the score from increasing. Despite the great saves and defensive efforts, Trine scored yet again, making the score 3-0. DC came close to scoring when back-to-back shots by Ordel hit off the goal post and blocked by the Thunder defense. In the final minutes of the game, a goal by Brian Kurtz (Sandusky/Perkins) at the 83:03 minute mark ended the possible shutout, 3-1.  But the goal would come a bit too late as Trine went on to claim the two-goal victory. 

Defiance fought long and hard all 90 minutes of play with Koester making six great saves throughout the night. The defense played hard, but just could not keep up with the Thunder in tonight's match as the game ended in favor of the visiting team.

This coming weekend (Sept. 4-6), the Yellow Jackets will host the annual Purple & Gold Classic at Winsper-Knobel Field. Defiance will play game one of the classic against The College of Wooster on Friday (Sept. 4) at 5 p.m.