ALLIANCE, Ohio — The Mount Union men's soccer team delivered an impressive offensive performance Wednesday evening, overcoming an early deficit to secure a 6-3 victory over Muskingum in Ohio Athletic Conference action.
It was senior night at Mount Union, so prior to kickoff we honored our seven graduating seniors, including:
Jackson Callender (Cleveland Heights / Notre Dame Cathedral Latin),
Alex Depperschmidt (Mansfield / Lexington),
Tyler Harsch (Aliquippa, Pa. / Central Valley),
Mason Lightfritz (Orlando, Fla. / Lake Brantley), Dom Kusutra (Willowick / Eastlake North),
Ayden Lee (Detroit, Mich. / Fraser) and
Frank Washburn (Columbia Station / Columbia).
Muskingum (9-5-2, 1-4-1 OAC) struck first in the 11th minute when Noah Ross found the back of the net off an assist from Jonathon Gonzales, giving the Fighting Muskies an early 1-0 advantage.
The Purple Raiders (10-4-4, 6-0-1 OAC) responded in the 26th minute as freshman
Drew Krupitzer (Avon Lake/Avon Lake) capitalized on an assist from freshman
Cameron Smith (Tipp City/Tippecanoe) to even the score at 1-1.
Mount Union continued to build momentum late in the opening half when
Kustra netted an unassisted goal in the 39th minute, sending the Purple Raiders into halftime with a 2-1 lead.
The Raiders carried their offensive momentum into the second half as
Depperschmidt extended the lead in the 49th minute off an assist from
Harsch.
Muskingum refused to back down, responding with two goals, both from Ross and both assisted by Gonzales, to tie the game at three goals apiece.
Mount Union regained its offensive rhythm in the 72nd minute when
Smith connected with junior
Keegan White (Columbus/Olentangy), giving the Purple Raiders a 4-3 advantage.
The Purple Raiders continued to apply offensive pressure late in the contest as
Kustura found the back of the net for the second time, extending Mount Union's lead to 5-3.
Harsch capped off the Purple Raiders' dominant offensive showing with a goal in the 88th minute, sealing the 6-3 victory and securing another Ohio Athletic Conference win for Mount Union.
The Purple Raiders will remain at home as they welcome the Ohio Northern Polar Bears for an Ohio Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday at 1 p.m.
