Men's Soccer Victory Continues Push for Postseason Action

DEFIANCE, OHIO - The Defiance College men's soccer team hosted the final game of the season on Winsper-Knobel Memorial Field on Wednesday afternoon. The Earlham College Quakers traveled north to face Head Coach Jordan Valentine's side, and Defiance was victorious 2-0. 

The now 8-9 Yellow Jackets contained a great deal of possession during the match, and with it came many chances. The Purple and Gold outshot the visiting Quakers 20-10. 

The first major chance for the home side came in the 16th minute when Christian Meister (Ontario / Ontario) let a shot fly from just outside the box. Meister's shot hit the crossbar and fell into the path of Adam Ordel (Lima / Elida), who's follow up shot was saved. 

DC broke through in the 30th minute when a free kick was given just outside the 18-yard box. Jarren Casto (Celina / Celina) played the free kick into the box where Bennet Pack (Glasgow, Ky. / Glasgow) met it with his head. Pack's header beat the Earlham keeper for his fourth goal of the 2018 campaign.

Casto continued to be an integral part of the action, as in the 34th minute he found himself with the ball just in front of the Defiance bench. The sophomore took on a handful of Quaker defenders and cut into the box where he slotted home a right footed shot to give the Purple and Gold the 2-0 lead. The goal marks the Celina, Ohio native's fourth of the season.

The Yellow Jackets continued to create chances during the second half of action. DC fans were almost treated to a third goal in the 80th minute as Casto hit a hard shot from outside the box. The shot hit the crossbar and came down just in front of the Earlham goal line, Meister was able to finish the shot, but was ruled to be offside. 

Defensively, Clay Musgrave (Upper Sandusky / Upper Sandusky) played all 90 minutes in net for the Purple and Gold, making five saves on the day. The senior's third shutout of the year brings his career total to 12, tying him for first place in career shutouts at DC. 

The win bumps Defiance's record to 8-9 on the season with a 5-3 conference mark. Currently, the Yellow Jackets sit in the fourth and final Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament spot with just one game remaining. 

The Yellow Jackets are next in action Saturday, October 27 as they travel to play first place HCAC side Hanover for a 3:30 pm kickoff.