Our second conference game with Defiance ends up being played at the Athletes In Action complex in Xenia, Ohio near Dayton. DC's field was hit with 3+ inches of rain earlier in the week and was judged unplayable. AIA provided a turf facility with good size and both our men's and women's team traveled to play a conference game at a neutral site.
Defiance are an interesting side with a different outlook tactically to most. They play with 3 in the back and flood midfield while leaving one player up who is the main target of their attack. Earlier they had played nationally ranked Ohio Northern really close (0-1) and that's easier to see now. They concede possession to you in your defensive half and fall back to defend less space. There's some skill in their midfield and they counter effectively.
We dominate possession without creating that many chances early but then the game turns Defiance's way in a hurry. A corner is directed at the big striker and is deflected to one of their players in front who has a simple finish. Not the way you want it to go against a team built to defend a lead. Jacob Ebbs has a frustrating time with the woodwork, hitting the bar or posts 3 times including one on a header.
The half arrives and we are struggling to make an impact in the final third in the second until the 78th minute when Arsene Kabeya (!!!) runs a ball up field from left back and hooks a "goal of the season" ball which curls into the upper near 90, actually hitting the crossbar and goalpost at the same time before settling in the back of the net---a stunner. We have couple of more chances late, including one saved by the DC keeper as Ameer Yusuf broke through.
By now Defiance is covering up and defending for all they're worth; on the day, shots were 16-3 us and we conceded no corner kicks, which is crucial when you're as small as we are. The game appears headed for a draw in th e 108th minute when David Jones gets in the are with the ball and is hacked down. Tamru Taye has been taking PK's for us until he missed at Otterbein a week ago (Actually. he was saved and scored the rebound). Jacob Ebbs steps up and rips it high into the net and we walk off with all 3 points.
We're tied for first in conference and we're returning home to face Bluffton on Saturday. We're also glad to leave all our mid semester exams and work behind. There were a few boys operating on limited sleep on Wednesday.
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