TIFFIN – It's the win they've been looking for. The Heidelberg University men's soccer team shut out 25th-ranked Ohio Northern on Tuesday in impressive fashion, scoring a pair of second-half goals to earn the victory. It was a pair of freshmen who made the difference, as Porus Shroff's goal in the 70th minute gave the Berg the lead, while Sebastian Calderon gave Heidelberg some breathing room with a strike in the 77th minute.

KEY STATS

Shroff netted his first career goal in the 70th minute, a goal that turned out to be the game-winner for the Student Princes. The freshman dribbled himself free in the box and bent a shot into the upper 90 for the first goal of the match.

The win was the first win for the Berg over a ranked opponent since last year's victory over John Carroll in the OAC Tournament Championship. This was the fourth match of the season for Heidelberg against a Top 25 foe.

Jake Kress picked up his third shutout of the season and second in a row, as he improved to 3-5-2 on the year.

FIRST HALF

A very well-played half technically did not allow for many scoring opportunities for either side. Heidelberg put the most shots on goal in the period with three, but each of them were saved by the ONU keeper.

Statistically, the half was fairly even, as both sides had two corner kicks, six fouls, and the Berg held a slim 5-4 edge in shots.

SECOND HALF

Play began to heat up pretty quickly in the second half, as Heidelberg found an opportunity early on. In the 55th minute, Chris Koczak made a nice move and freed himself in the box, but his shot towards the lower 90 was barely deflected away from goal for a corner kick by Dean McNeil, Ohio Northern's goalkeeper.

In the 58th minute, Ohio Northern (13-4, 5-1 OAC) found themselves with a good chance, but a header that was flicked on goal off a free kick was saved by Kress to keep the match scoreless.

Heidelberg (6-7-3, 4-2 OAC) was the first to get on the scoreboard when Shroff scored his impressive goal in the 70th minute, sending the crowd into a frenzy as the Student Princes took the 1-0 lead.

Continuing to press forward, the Student Princes found a second goal shortly thereafter when Ryan Homoki played a ball to Calderon about 20 yards out of goal, which Calderon drilled into the side net for the 2-0 edge.

The two-goal advantage proved to be enough, as the Berg finished off the upset with a shutout of the Polar Bears.

QUOTES

Head coach Ryan Carruth, who was not on the sidelines due to receiving two cautions in the previous match, on the win: "It's a player's game, and our guys went out and took care of business very well. We've had our best two weeks of training, and I'm not surprised that we're starting to catch form at the right time. All in all, I could not be more pleased with the result. Hats off to Ohio Northern, who are a very good team."

Carruth on Calderon and Shroff: "I thought Porus and Sebastian really came alive today. Both guys showed just how talented they are and what bright futures they have."

Carruth on building off of this win: "It shows tremendous confidence and it shows the guys that we can compete with anyone. We feel that we have a team that can compete with anyone and it's a matter of continuing our discipline in training and our off the field discipline. We just have to continue to do the things we've been doing all along. We take great confidence from this win."

UP NEXT

Heidelberg remains home this Saturday, October 24th, when they play host to Marietta College for their final home contest of the regular season.  That match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Hidden Valley Soccer Complex in Tiffin.