Ohio Wesleyan 1, Allegheny 0

Nov. 3, 2007

Freshman back Eric Laipple (Westerville/South) scored the game's only goal in the 25th minute to give Ohio Wesleyan a win over Allegheny in the championship game of the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament on Saturday at Roy Rike Field.

The win gives Ohio Wesleyan the NCAC's automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III tournament, Ohio Wesleyan's NCAA-record 30th Division III playoff appearance. The NCAA Division III tournament bracket will be released on Monday.

After a foul in the Allegheny end, Laipple set up about 35 yards away from the Gator goal. His rocket lined just inside the left post to put Ohio Wesleyan on the scoreboard with 20:05 left in the first half.

The Bishops had threatened early and often. Three times during the first 10 minutes of play, Ohio Wesleyan earned corner kicks and had good chances to score.

In the third minute, freshman back Brian Greene (Beavercreek) had his header swatted away by Allegheny keeper Ryan Larkin. The Bishops kept up the attack, though, with both Greene and freshman midfielder Ryan Harmanis (Hilliard/Davidson) connecting on headers to keep the play alive before sophomore midfielder Will Murawski (Alpharetta, Ga./Westerville North) sent a follow shot over the crossbar.

Just over 2 minutes later, Ohio Wesleyan had another corner kick and freshman forward Tyler Wall (Columbus/Upper Arlington) got off a shot which Larkin stopped. Three minutes after that, Harmanis went up for a header on another corner kick, with Larkin making an outstanding play to preserve the scoreless tie.

Allegheny's only shot of the period came in the 22nd minute after a long run into the Ohio Wesleyan end by David Egan, but Bishop keeper Jamison Dague (Columbus/Bexley) tracked it down for the save.

Laipple's blast in the 25th minute put Ohio Wesleyan on top, and most of the rest of the half would be played in the midfield.

The Gators applied more offensive pressure during the second half, but while they were winning more balls and spending more time in the Ohio Wesleyan end, they were not able to translate those into a shot on goal.

Ohio Wesleyan had a chance at an insurance goal in the 75th minute when freshman midfielder Chad Baker (Dublin/Jerome) moved into the box from the left side and fired a shot. Larkin knocked the ball down for the save, and the Gator defense got to the loose ball first and cleared it out of the Allegheny penalty area.

Ohio Wesleyan outshot Allegheny, 11-6. Dague finished with 1 save for Ohio Wesleyan, while Larkin had 6 saves for the Gators.

Box Score