Senior All-North Coast Athletic Conference defenseman Daniel O’Callaghan (Aberdale, Wales, United Kingdom) scored two goals as part of a three-goal second half to help lead the No. 20/21 nationally-ranked Hiram College men’s soccer team past Wittenberg University, 3-1, in a NCAC game in Springfield.
Following tonight’s win, the Terriers improve to 11-0-1 overall and 2-0-1 in the NCAC. The Tigers fall to 5-6-2 overall and 0-2-1 NCAC.
Wittenberg scored the only goal of the first half on an unassisted score by Alejandro Garcia at the 19:36 minute mark that gave the Tigers a 1-0 advantage after the first 45 minutes.
Hiram picked up its offensive attack in the second half outshooting Wittenberg, 16-2. The Terriers knotched the game-tying goal during the 72nd minute when O’Callaghan recorded his first goal of the game on a header that was set up by senior All-Region midfielder Ryan Greenhill (Solon) on a corner kick. Less than four minutes later, the duo hooked up again on another corner kick play at the 75:17 mark that put Hiram ahead, 2-1. The Terriers sealed the victory during the 80th minute when Greenhill scored a goal of his own on a free kick that found its way into the back of the Wittenberg goal as Hiram went on to claim the 3-1 victory and remain unbeaten for the season.
In goal, senior All-NCAC goaltender Joe Rottinger (Strongsville) started the game and played 61:30 minutes. He allowed one goal and made four saves. Freshman Kirby Rice (Copley) came on to play the final 28:30 and recorded the win to improve to 1-0 overall for the year. He allowed no goals and had no saves.
Hiram will look to keep its unbeaten streak going when the Terriers travel to Gambier for a NCAC game against Kenyon College on Wednesday, Oct. 10. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
