Fighting Scots Start Fast and Hold On to Defeat Mercyhurst 2-1

Vienna, WV (November 1, 2008) - Ohio Valley University was looking to send its four seniors (Cody Balch, Sam Habib, Lucas Kidd, and Josh Ziegler) out as winners when it hosted visiting Mercyhurst College on Senior Recognition Day.  The Fighting Scots were able to take the early lead when Danny Fernandez (SO-Miami, FL) received a nice through ball from Alan Porter (JR-Marietta, OH) at the 22:10 minute mark of the first half.  Just under ten minutes left until halftime, Danny D'Amore (SO-Windsor, Ontario, Canada) would catch Mercyhurst College's keeper Danny Mudd (SR-Hull, England) sleeping when he sent a free kick from 50 yards out over the backpedalling keeper.  This would allow the Fighting Scots to take a 2 goal advantage into the half.

The second half would find the Lakers working very hard to overcome their 2 goal deficit.  The insurance score in the first half for OVU would prove very valuable when Mercyhurst would tally a goal from Mike De Rose (SO-Richmond Hill, Canada) assisted by Billy Colton (SO-Pitsea, England) at the 62:34 minute mark.  Ohio Valley would turn back attempt after attempt from the Lakers to preserve the 2-1 win and give the home crowd and graduating seniors a victory to end the regular season.

Mercyhurst would outshoot the Fighting Scots 21-16 but OVU would hold an 8-6 advantage with shots on goal.  MC would receive 9 corner kicks to OVU's 5.  OVU was called for 14 fouls while Mercyhurst had 6 fouls.  OVU's Spencer Widlicka (FR-Salem, OH) would make 5 saves to secure the win and Mercyhurst's Danny Mudd would turn away 6 shots in suffering the loss.

The win gives Ohio Valley University its most successful season in its 12 year existence with a 9-7-4 record.  A 5-4-1 mark in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) assures the Fighting Scots of a 6th seed in the upcoming WVIAC conference playoffs.  The Scots will square off with #3 seeded Davis and Elkins College and look to avenge a 2-0 defeat suffered in Vienna, WV on October 25, 2008.  The re-match is slated for Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 3:00 pm at Elkins, WV.  The winner of the OVU - D&E match will travel to play #2 seeded Alderson-Broaddus College on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 2:00 pm.

Box Score