Defiance Falls Short To Heidelberg

TIFFIN, OHIO  -  A second half rally by the Defiance College men's soccer team fell shy by a goal as Heidelberg University defeated the Yellow Jackets, 3-2, in Tiffin. 

The first goal of the game didn't come until late into the first half when Heidelberg (2-2-2) broke the stalemate at the 36:12 minute mark for a 1-0 lead.  The Student Princes then struck again during the 42nd minute to increase the deficit to 2-0.  A minute-and-a-half later, Heidelberg tacked on another goal to end the offensive fleury.  Freshman Sean VandelWiele (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) took the only shot for Defiance (3-3) in the first period with five seconds remaining before intermission. But Heidelberg would boast a 3-0 advantage at the break.

The Jacket offense took advantage of their scoring opportunities during the second half when freshman Josiah Nichols (Weston/Bowling Green) scored his first of two goals during the 75th minute to narrow the gap to 3-1.  Then fellow freshman Henok Jones (Georgetown, Ind./Floyd Central) set up Nichols' second goal scoring opportunity that pulled DC to within a goal, 3-2, with under two minutes to go in regulation.  Time was not on the Yellow Jackets' side, however, as DC could not net the equilizer before time ran out, allowing Heidelberg to hang on for the 3-2 victory. 

Junior Damien Koester (Englewood/Brookville) started and played the entire match in goal. He had a strong effort in net facing 16 shots tallying 13 saves. 

Defiance will travel to Wilmington, Ohio for a non-conference game against Wilmington College on Saturday (Sept. 19).  The game is set to begin at 2 p.m.