Ohio Northern Match Notes

Ohio Northern Polar Bears
Men’s Soccer Match Notes
ONU Sports Information
www.ONUSports.com

Today’s Match

Tonight marks the first-ever meeting between Ohio Northern and Hobart (N.Y.) It is also ONU’s fifth NCAA Tournament match in school history. Ohio Northern has not played a school from New York state prior to tonight’s contest. The Polar Bears are not currently ranked but have been ranked as high as No. 23 nationally this season. ONU has been ranked in the national poll in four of the last nine seasons.

Last Time Out

Top-seed Ohio Northern got a goal from freshman Christian Huelsman with 29 seconds left in the second overtime period to defeat Carroll (Wis.) 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Nov. 15 at Wheaton, Ill. Huelsman scored both ONU goals in the contest.

Polar Bears in the NCAA Tournament

Northern has a 3-1 record in NCAA Tournament play. In 2006, the Polar Bears defeated Transylvania (Ky.) 2-0 in their first-ever NCAA Tournament match. Northern fell to Ohio Wesleyan in the second round 1-0. ONU has defeated Wheaton (Ill.) and Carroll (Wis.) in the first two rounds of the tournament.

ONU vs. 2008 NCAA Tournament Participants

Northern is 3-2 against teams in this year’s tournament. The Polar Bears won at Ohio Wesleyan 1-0 and fell at Wittenberg 4-0 and at home against Calvin (Mich.) 1-0. ONU has defeated Wheaton (Ill.) and Carroll (Wis.) in the first two rounds of the tournament.

Ohio Northern in 2008

The Polar Bears enter today’s match with a 19-5-1 record. Ohio Northern was third in the Ohio Athletic Conference with a 5-3-1 regular season record and won the OAC Tournament as the #3 seed. ONU rolled through the tournament, defeating #6 Muskingum 3-0, #2 John Carroll 5-1 and #4 Marietta 3-0. The Polar Bears have outscored their opponents 17-3 in five post-season tournaments this year.

Hot Streaks

Ohio Northern enters today’s contest riding a 6-match win streak. The Polar Bears opened the 2008 season with a 6-match win streak and also enjoyed a 4-match win streak from 9/24-10/8.

Polar Bear History

Ohio Northern has been sponsoring men’s soccer as a varsity sport since 1975 and has an impressive 304-221-41 all-time record for a winning percentage of .573.

Ohio Northern in 2008

ONU leads the OAC in goals (68) and assists (56) this season. The Polar Bears also have a league-best GAA of 0.70, allowing only 18 goals in 25 matches with a school record 12 shutouts.