By Eileen Baer

Staff Writer

Denison University’s men’s soccer team is having one of their best seasons yet. With an overall record of 9-0-1, the team has yet to be defeated.

The one and only game the Big Red has not won this season was against Ohio Wesleyan University. On Sept. 26, Denison and OWU tied 1-1 in their conference match. Denison then competed against Heidelberg University on Sept. 30 in Tiffin, Ohio, beating them 2-1. Max Haupt ‘18 and Kennedy Kommor ‘17 both scored for the Big Red.

“I was running across their back line from the left wing to the right and Luis Zamora ‘19 slipped me through to where I was 1 on 1 with the keeper,” Haupt, from Zurich, Switzerland said. “I didn’t think about the finish much and just wanted to hit the ball across the goal. Fortunately I scored and it felt great because it was the first of my career.”

Despite muddy and rainy conditions, the Big Red managed a conference victory against Hiram College on Oct. 3, beating the Terriers 1-0 in overtime. With only 1:41 remaining, Tim Evans ’16 from Indianapolis, scored the winning goal—and only goal—of the game.

Off of a free kick by Zamora, Evans was able to head the ball into the net.

“I saw a mismatch in the box between Tim and his marker,” Zamora from Stamford, Conn., said. “Knowing Tim could out jump his opponent I just floated the ball in between him and the goalie.”

As a result of their teamwork, the men’s soccer team has had quite an impressive season. Still undefeated, the team believes a large amount of their success is a result of their defense. Forwards, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers alike have all contributed largely to the Big Red defense.

“The defense has been outstanding this year,” Evans said.

“It has been a real team effort. Not only has the defensive group stepped up big time, but the forwards and the midfielders have done extremely well defending from the top of the field. We also have the best group of goalkeepers in college soccer. Blake, Jack and Andrew are all exceptionally talented.”

With only a few weeks left in the regular season, the team aims to continue its undefeated streak. “In order to stay undefeated we just need to keep working and putting in the same amount of effort every day,” Haupt said. “Now that conference games are starting it is important for us to keep winning.”

As of the Sept. 29 poll, the team was ranked 24th nationally for Division III men’s soccer. A new poll will be released Oct. 6, and, with the conference win against Hiram, the Big Red’s ranking is likely to improve.

The men’s soccer team will be traveling to Meadville, Pa. on Oct. 10 to compete against Allegheny College in a conference match.