Efficient Offensive Attack Aids Men’s Soccer in Victory

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The men's soccer team continued to follow what appears to be a blueprint for success on Saturday afternoon, using disciplined defense and efficient offense to defeat Marietta College, 2-1. Defiance has now allowed just one goal in each of its first four games of the season.

Freshman forward, Jaiden Henderson, notched his first goal of the season when he sprinted past the Pioneer defenders to corral a well-placed pass from Kyle Johnson and sent it flying past the goalkeeper for an early 1-0 lead. Evan Allen recorded his first-career goal in the 32nd minute of the game off a feed from Luke Freels to push DC's lead to two.

Marietta's Ryan Wong cut the lead back to one with a goal midway through the second half, but it was the last goal that the Yellow Jackets' defense would surrender as DC goalkeeper, Taylor Smoot, picked up his first win in his first start of the season.  

Smoot snagged 13 saves in the contest on his way to a .929 save percentage. Jaiden Henderson led the team with five shots in the game, while Evan Allen, Tony Cornell and Kyle Johnson tallied one shot each in the contest.

The Yellow Jackets will return to action on Wednesday, September 15, when they host Trine University (3-0) at Winsper-Knobel Memorial Field at 4:00 p.m.