By Andrew Korba
The No. 11 Ohio Northern men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 contest to Capital on Wednesday afternoon at the ONU Soccer Field.
The Polar Bears fall to 9-3-0 on the season and 1-1-0 in OAC play, while the Crusaders improve to 4-4-3, 1-1-0.
ONU had a chance to strike early in the 12th minute.
Senior Jeremy Barnes dribbled into the box and rocketed a shot that hit the crossbar.
Freshman Matt Kinkopf was able to get the rebound and fire a shot, but his attempt was saved by Capital goalie Bob Weisgarber.
In the second half, the Crusaders came out attacking and jumped on the board at the 51:47 mark, when Jacob Pulliam sent in a corner kick that was headed into the net by Josh Spaw.
Capital kept the pressure up and extended its lead in the 78th minute on a ball that was headed just over freshman goalie Evan Bader and into the net by Nick Eley.
Sophomore Keegan Ross was taken down in the box in the 87th minute to earn a penalty kick for Northern.
Barnes stepped up and rocketed the penalty kick, but it hit the right post and kicked back out into play.
Bader (9-3-0) made three saves in goal for the Polar Bears.
Weisgarber recorded five saves and moves to 4-4-3 on the season.
The Crusaders owned the advantage in shots 14-11.
Norther took seven corner kicks, compared to six for Capital.
Ohio Northern will return to action on Saturday when it hosts Baldwin Wallace at 1 pm.
