Bishops stunned in second round of NCAA tournament

Kentucky's Transylvania dashes men's soccer championship dreams

By: Ross McHale, Transcript Reporter

Posted: 11/19/09

One week after falling to Denison in the N.C.A.C. title game, #3 Ohio Wesleyan was knocked out of the NCAA tournament after falling 1-0 to unranked Transylvania (Ky.) in a second round match at Roy Rike Field on Sunday night.

The Pioneers struck in the 71st minute on a corner kick, which deflected off several players before glancing an OWU defender and crossing the line.

The loss comes as a shock to a team that was unbeaten and ranked #1 in the nation just one week ago.

On this night, however, OWU was thoroughly out-played and out-worked by a team that had considerably less talent on the field.

The Bishop offense, which had been strong all season, struggled to find chances for the third straight game as they did not a get a shot on goal during the 2nd half.

OWU controlled the game in the 1st half but were unable to finish a number of scoring opportunities.

In the 21st minute junior forward Tyler Wall headed a ball over following a good cross from junior back Eric Liapple.

Three minutes later, sophomore forward Travis Wall found himself with space on the right corner of the box but sent his effort wide right.

The best chance of the half came in the 42nd minute when Travis Wall's effort from one yard out following a corner was somehow stopped by Pioneer keeper Trey Kramer, who also managed to deny Liapple's rebound attempt.

Both teams came out tentatively in the 2nd half, with neither side willing to fully commit forward for a goal.

OWU came close in the 56th minute when junior forward Dylan Stone sent his header across the face of goal from a Travis Wall cross.

As the 2nd half progressed, the Pioneers seemed to get more and more confident against an OWU team that was not playing its best soccer, and when the ball crossed the line following a corner in the 71st minute, they put the Bishop's on the offensive.

With their season on the line and a raucous home crowd behind them, the Bishops threw everything they had at the stubborn Pioneer defense.

In the 75th minute, senior midfielder Blake Pifer cut inside the box from right midfield before sending his effort wide right.

Moments later junior back Brian Greene sent his header high following a corner kick.

Despite OWU's best efforts, the much-needed goal never arrived.

And with that, a season that started perfectly and shown so much promise came to a sudden end.