Matthew Kelly

WOOSTER, Ohio – A pair of early first half goals, one for The College of Wooster and one for Heidelberg University, held up as the lone scoring as two non-conference men's soccer foes finished in a 1-1 tie at a rainy and windy Andrew Turf Field at John P. Papp Stadium on Wednesday night.

Wooster (3-1-1) went on the offensive right out of the gates, putting an attempt on goal followed by back-to-back corner kicks within the first two minutes. That aggressiveness paid off when on the second corner, Heidelberg (2-1-2) was unable to successfully clear and Matthew Kelly, located near the left post, headed the ball in just 1:41 into the contest. The sophomore defender who usually only plays up field during corners already has three goals this season.

In the 14th minute, the 'Berg's Hamid Shariff dribbled into the box on the right side, passed right to Kurt Wilhelm, who snuck a shot under the 'keeper to draw the visitors even.

With the game knotted at one throughout the second half, the Fighting Scots had the higher quality scoring chances with 10 shots and five corner kicks, but could not net the game-winner. Among the better opportunities, a Ben Deering good look was denied early in the half, Kelly and Philip Charnley both had headers on corners that were off the mark, and Lucas Hunt sent one high in the final minutes.

Wooster's Matt Ehrenberg, back from an injury and playing his first game this year, nearly ended it halfway through the first overtime as his shot glanced off the right post, while Heidelberg almost scored late in the second extra session when Christopher Koczak sailed an attempt from the left wing just over the crossbar.

Making a solid debut in goal for the Scots was Alex Molinari, as the freshman recorded a pair of saves, and the 'Berg's Matthew Stevens was credited with five.

Wooster completes a four-game homestand this Saturday night, hosting Muskingum University (2-1) at 7 p.m.