The Polar Bears avenged a regular season loss to OAC rival Heidelberg by taking the OAC tournament title in Tiffin on Saturday night. Through 90 minutes of regular time and the first overtime the score was knotted at 2-2. ONU was able to celebrate it's conference championship just moments into the second overtime period however, after a stellar run from Senior captain Brendan Crowley resulted in a shot that stretched Heidelberg Goalkeeper Ryan Smith. The initial save fell to the feet of Junior forward Christian Huelsman, who slotted home the game winner.
The win grants ONU the automatic qualifier for the NCAA tournament, and will mark the program's fourth tournament appearance in the last 5 seasons.
Sophomore midfielder Cameron Johnson opened the scoring in the contest with a headed restart goal in the 12th minute. The service came from Junior midfielder Cory Dobkins. Heidelberg would answer late in the first half and then take a 2-1 lead early in the second 45, but Junior forward Greg Stawicki found a way to put a ball on frame and even the contest in the 85th minute. The goal was Stawicki's third in ONU's 2 OAC tournament games.
Several notable milestones were achieved in the process of capturing the OAC crown. With the win, the Senior class becomes the winningest class in ONU history with 66 total wins, and extends their lead for the most OAC wins in the history of the program with 27 for their career. Huelsman's game winning goal moves him into sole possession of second place all time on the ONU career goals list with 43.
Watch for updates re: ONU's upcoming NCAA tournament schedule.
Game highlights and postgame celebrations:
Chillin' With A Polar Bear
2 weeks ago