Men's Soccer Drops Hard Fought Battle on Senior Day

DEFIANCE, Ohio- The Defiance College men's soccer team dropped a hard-fought battle with Hanover in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action at home on Saturday afternoon. Prior to the game, seniors Jarod Brossia, Austin Wheeler, Kyle Dombroski, and Adam Ordel were recognized for their accomplishments on and off the field during senior day festivities. 

Hanover pressured the Defiance defense early, taking two shots, before getting the ball past Yellow Jacket goalie Harrison Hirth (Lapeer, Mich. / Lapeer). The Panthers scored in the 8th minute of play, taking an early 1-0 lead and would continue to pester the Purple and Gold defense. 

Hirth minded the Defiance goal for all 90 minutes, seeing 9 shots on frame and recording 7 saves on the day. Noah Svanberg (Grand Rapids, Ohio / Otsego) and the Yellow Jacket defense played a tough making stops and holding a tight line, finding Hanover offsides four times throughout the course of the match. 

The Defiance offense picked up in the second half, creating chances to score and forcing the Hanover goalie to make seven saves in the final forty-five minutes.

Jarod Brossia (Curtice, Ohio / Genoa), showed hope for the Purple and Gold late in the game as he took a shot on goal off of a free-kick from a Panther foul outside of the box. Brossia's ball hit off of the crossbar, where Eli Rogers (Gibsonburg, Ohio / Woodmore) was there for the follow up shot missing wide. 

Jarren Casto (Celina, Ohio / Celina) added to the Yellow Jackets chances late in the game, taking two shots on goal that couldn't find the back of the net. 

The Panthers would score again in the 81:10 minute off of a fast break, securing the 2-0 HCAC win over Defiance to conclude regular season play. 

The Yellow Jackets conclude their season with an overall record of 9-9-2, and 4-4-1 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play, to finish at number five spot in conference standings. During the season, the men's soccer team went on a five-game winning streak, defeating HCAC foe Franklin and rival Bluffton.