Defiance Loses Close Match Against Hanover

HANOVER, IND.- The Defiance College men's soccer team fell short of Hanover (Ind.) College, 3-2, in the final game of the season and a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup in Hanover, Ind. 

Hanover (11-6-2, 7-0-2 HCAC) scored the first goal of the day approxmiately two minutes into the first half to grab an early 1-0 lead. The Panthers struck again during the 18th minute to extend the margin to 2-0.  Despite trailing by a pair of goals, Defiance (6-10-2, 2-5-2 HCAC) rallied with a pair of goals of its own beginning with a penalty kick by sophomore Nick Kleptz (Troy) at the 23:56 mark.  It was Kleptz's team-leading eighth goal of the season and third goal via a penalty kick.  Following back-to-back-to-back shots freshman Henok Jones (Georgetown, Ind./Floyd Central), senior Jordan Drake (Maumee/Springfield), and Kleptz, the Yellow Jackets netted the equalizer during the 31st minute when senior Blayne Robbins (Galva, Ill./Miamisburg) scored an unassisted goal to tie the game at 2-2.  The score by Robbins would be the final point of the half as the two teams went into the locker rooms deadlocked at 2-2. 

Defiance recorded four shots in the second half which came off the feet of freshman Adam Ordel (Lima/Elida), Jones and a pair of attempts by sophomore Mark Williams (Plain City/Jonathan Alder).  The difference maker came at the 67:04 minute mark, when Hanover broke the tie with a goal making the score 3-2.  Neither team added any additional points the rest of the way as the Panthers held on for the 3-2 victory. 

Freshman Clay Musgrave (Jpper Sandusky) and junior Damien Koester (Englewood/Brookville) split time in net for Defiance.  Koester started the contest and played the entire first half.  While in net, he allowed two goals made three saves.  Musgrave played the entire second half and allowed one goal and had three saves.