DICKINSON (15-0-7) 2, DENISON (15-3-3) 0

• Denison opened the match on the front foot, controlling early possession and earning a long run of throw-ins before generating their first dangerous look in the 10th minute on a blocked shot by senior Kameron Kist (New Albany, OH/New Albany) after the Big Red earned their lone first-half corner in the minute. Denison produced another chance in the 34th minute when junior Jack Rice (Lake Bluff, IL/Lake Forest) forced a save from Dickinson’s keeper Nick Potter. Defensively, Denison absorbed sustained pressure throughout the middle stretch of the half, clearing repeated throw-ins and free kicks while first-year goalkeeper Alex Provost (Glen Ridge, NJ/Montclair Kimberley Academy) came up with two strong stops, including a low save in the 14th minute. Dickinson capitalized on one of their cleanest sequences in the 17th minute, slipping in a low finish from Saul Iwowo to take a 1-0 lead. The Big Red responded with steady midfield play and continued to win territory, stringing together multiple throw-ins and free kicks to keep themselves in the match. Despite the halftime deficit, Denison’s organization, ball-winning, and shot creation kept the first half competitive and set the stage for a push after the break.
• Denison came out in the second half pressing for an equalizer with sophomore Colin MacDonald (Oakwood, OH/Oakwood) taking a shot just nine seconds into the half. Continuing on the attack and looking to find the equalizer, first-year Julian Bozzolo (Chapel Hill, NC/Seaforth) put a low-center shot on frame in the 55th minute, but Potter came up with the save. Dickinson then extended its lead in the 65th minute when Ethan Jarden scored, making it 2-0. In the final 10 minutes, senior Phil Koutsaftis (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck) and Rice put shots on frame. Koutsaftis hit the crossbar and then put Potter to work with a low-right shot on goal in the 81st minute, while Rice followed with a low-center shot that was saved by Potter in the 86th minute. Denison earned multiple corners and free kicks throughout the half to keep Dickinson’s defense busy, but were unable to connect on a goal.