The rain kept the Heidelberg University men’s soccer team off of their usual stomping ground, Hidden Valley Soccer Complex, when they squared off against the Wolverines of Grove City College on Wednesday, September 25. However, the inclement weather did not damper the Heidelberg men’s competitive spirit. The Berg scored two goals off of set pieces to defeat Grove City, 2-1.
Senior Cole Tonti (Columbus/St. Francis de Sales) tabbed the first goal for the Berg with a beautiful shot. It was intended to be a pass, but after traveling into the box, the ball bounced in front of the net and hopped over the Grove City keeper.
The goal marks Tonti’s second of the season for the Student Princes.
Sophomore Hamid Shariff (Columbus/Centennial) collected the second goal for the Berg, when senior Ryan Smith (Roanoke, TX/Keller) was fouled just outside the box. The foul, set up the Student Princes with a great look at the net.
Shariff stepped up and netted a curving shot over the wall of defenders, into the left, upper 90. Shariff has accounted for two of Heidelberg’s 18 goals this season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Matthew Stevens (South Lyon, MI) had another stellar outing for the Student Princes, stopping seven of the Wolverine’s shots. In his sophomore campaign, Stevens has tallied 35 saves thus far.
The freshmen duo of Christopher Koczak (Springboro) and Ryan Homoki (Grafton/Midview) recorded three shots each for the Berg.
Heidelberg jumped out to a quick lead with Tonit’s goal in the tenth minute.
The Wolverines would not be denied though, netting the equalizer in the 44th minute.
In the 55th minute, Shariff knocked in his free kick opportunity to send the Berg to a 2-1 victory and a 5-4 record entering OAC competition.
The Heidelberg men will lace up their boots again on Saturday, September 29, when they travel to Marietta. Their match against the Pioneers will be the Ohio Athletic Conference opener for head coach Brian Haley’s squad. The men’s match, which is scheduled for 4:00 pm, will follow the women’s game at 2:00 pm.