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The NCAA News -- December 7, 1998

Unexpected shot lifts Bishops to 2-1 victory over Greensboro

A goal scored just over a minute into the first overtime was the difference as host Ohio Wesleyan captured the Division III Men's Soccer Championship with a 2-1 victory over Greensboro November 29.

Ohio Wesleyan's Mike Campbell scored the game-winner off a pass from Jason Chadima along the top of the box. Campbell took the ball alongside the goal line and shot the ball into the top right corner of the goal just beyond the reach of Greensboro goalkeeper Steve Larsen.

Ohio Wesleyan head coach Jay Martin cringed when Campbell took his shot.

"My first thought when Mike hit that was 'Oh, no!'," said Martin, "because Campbell is left-footed, and he hit it with his right foot. It was one of those where you say, 'No, Mike, no -- great shot!' "

"It takes a spectacular goal to win a national championship, and that's what they got," said Greensboro head coach Daren Powell.

Ohio Wesleyan took the lead early in the game. The Bishops attempted to convert a corner kick but were thwarted -- temporarily -- by the Greensboro defense. Chadima took control of the rebound and sent it toward Jon Van Horn, who headed the ball into the left side of the goal.

Greensboro forward Brandon Overby almost tied the match before half time after Trever Smith of Ohio Wesleyan attempted to clear the ball out of the box, but his shot hit Overby in face and rebounded just over the top of the goal.

Pride forward Ryan Johnson also had an opportunity to tie the game, but his shot bounced off the crossbar and was pushed up the field by the Ohio Wesleyan defense.

An Ohio Wesleyan attack created the groundwork for Greensboro's lone score. The Bishops' Campbell attempted to take the ball to the goal when he was diverted by the Pride's Larsen, who took the ball and punted it about three-fourths the length of the field. Teammate Carlton Mack beat the Bishops' defense to the ball and tapped it into the goal with less than nine minutes left in regulation.

"It was a great ball from their goalie," said Bishops goalkeeper Jonathan Barth. "(Greensboro) got to the ball first and tipped it over me. It was a bang-bang kind of play."

Ohio Wesleyan's victory gives the Bishops their first men's soccer title and the school's second national championship overall.

"This isn't the best group we've had in terms of individual talent," Martin said, "but over the past four weeks, this has been the best team I've had. We've had so many teams that came so close, and we told these guys to win it for them as well as themselves."

Ohio Wesleyan defeated Williams, 1-0, in the semifinals and ended the year with an 18-6 record. Greensboro earned a 1-0 semifinal victory over Rowan and finished with a 19-4 campaign.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMARY

Quarterfinals: Williams* 2, St. Lawrence 2 (4 ot) (*Williams advances on penalty kicks, 7-6); Ohio Wesleyan 2, Trinity (Tex.) 1; Rowan 1, Johns Hopkins 0 (3 ot); Greensboro 2, Macalester 1 (3 ot).

SEMIFINALS

Greensboro 0 1 -- 1

Rowan 0 0 -- 0

Second half: G -- Ryan Nelson (Richard Ronemus), 47:20.

Shots: Greensboro 22, Rowan 15. Goalkeeper saves: Greensboro (Steve Larsen) 7, Rowan (Chris Esnes) 7. Corner kicks: Greensboro 9, Rowan 4. Fouls: Greensboro 15, Rowan 14. Attendance: 1,507.

Williams 0 0 -- 0

Ohio Wesleyan 1 0 -- 1

First half: OW -- Martin Forman (Jon Van Horn), 9:38.

Shots: Williams 18, Ohio Wesleyan 12. Goalkeeper saves: Williams (Ryan Spicer) 2, Ohio Wesleyan (Jonathan Barth) 6. Corner kicks: Williams 8, Ohio Wesleyan 6. Fouls: Williams 5, Ohio Wesleyan 15. Attendance: 1,507.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Greensboro 0 1 0 0 -- 1

Ohio Wesleyan 1 0 1 0 -- 2

First half: OW -- Jon Van Horn (Jason Chadima), 12:45.

Second half: G -- Carlton Mack (Steve Larsen), 81:09.

Overtime: OW -- Mike Campbell (Chadima), 91:07.

Shots: Greensboro 17, Ohio Wesleyan 22. Goalkeeper saves: Greensboro (Steve Larsen) 11, Ohio Wesleyan (Jonathan Barth) 5. Corner kicks: Greensboro 2, Ohio Wesleyan 3. Fouls: Greensboro 24, Ohio Wesleyan 23. Attendance: 1,357.