Men's Soccer drops 1-0 decision to Heidelberg in season opener

DEFIANCE, Ohio - In a very physical game from start to finish, a late first half goal propelled the Heidelberg Student Princes to a 1-0 victory over the Defiance College Yellow Jackets in the season opener for both teams Friday afternoon at Winsper Knobel Memorial Field. 

Just seconds before the first half clock hit zero, Heidelberg found the back of the net as Alagie Njie just sneaked it past Defiance goalkeeper Orry Killam off a corner kick in the bottom right corner of the net. Zak Klopfenstein had an early look for the Yellow Jackets three minutes into the game but Heidelberg goalkeeper Bradshaw Uhlmann recorded his first of five saves. 

The Yellow Jackets were forced to play 10 on 11 for the final 32 minutes as Noah Svanberg received his second yellow card of the match and was forced to leave the contest. Despite being a man down, Defiance still had three opportunities late in the game to tie it up and those three chances would all come in the final ten minutes. 

Will Gehlhausen, Noah Paxton, and Riley Hensley recorded the shot attempts. Gehlhausen's attempt was high while Paxton's was saved by the Heidelberg goalkeeper in a crowded area in front of the goal. Hensley had the best look on a free kick but just missed it high. 

Zak Klopfenstein led the team in shot attempts with three, while goalkeeper Orry Killam made three saves.

The Yellow Jackets will look for their first win tomorrow afternoon at home against Wittenberg at 1 p.m.