By Esteban Bachelet

After a 2-3 loss to Heidelberg University Tuesday afternoon, some Lords sat on the grass, some walked aimlessly and others stared off into the distance. Visiting fans cheered and congratulated their team. Heidelberg had successfully halted the Lords’ six-game streak.

“This is just a bump on the road,” Assistant Coach Darren Moore said. “We’ve got a good side. The lads are good players. They are passionate about winning; they want to win.”

Kenyon entered the contest against Heidelberg after an encouraging North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) tie against No. 9 DePauw University on Saturday, Sept. 28. DePauw had won 10 straight until meeting the Lords. It was the Lords’ first and only conference game thus far.

“The whole game was close,” goalkeeper Sam Clougher ’17 said. “Both teams were physical.” The Tigers outshot the Lords 14 to 9, forcing Clougher to make a season-high eight saves in a game that featured momentum changes for both sides. Hunkering down for the full 110 minutes, the Lords defense held its own even after starting defender Cameron Scott ’15 went down with a concussion. Defender and Co-Captain Lewis Williams Gray ’14 sat out with a few broken ribs.

“We’re working with a makeshift backline,” Clougher said. “Everyone that has come in has been just as good. They are making my job easier.”

The Lords only had two days to rest after double overtime before facing non-conference opponent Heidelberg on Tuesday.

“Sometimes it’s hard to bounce from that to another game. A lot of the boys are tired,” Moore said.

The game against Heidelberg started well for the Lords. Jordan Glassman ’17 collected a long ball from Alex Christoff ’15 and netted a goal to put the Lords up 1-0. Then the Lords lost rhythm and cohesiveness. A turnover with 15 minutes remaining in the first half gave Heidelberg a goal to even the score. The momentum stayed with Heidelberg after the half. In the span of a minute, Heidelberg scored twice. In both cases, the Kenyon defense backpedalled, allowing space for opposing players to run into the box.

Down 3-1, the Lords woke up for the final 28 minutes. Tony Amolo ’17 crossed the ball to Christoff, who finished it with a sublime header. The Lords had ample opportunities to tie the game but could not get past the Heidelberg keeper.

“We broke down, got a little lazy,” Glassman said.

“We didn’t take care of the little things. They did,” Moore said. “The momentum changed. When that happens in a game, you go on your back foot. It’s a hard-working team. Everyone has bought into the goals of the program; we will bounce back.”

The Lords will next face Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m.

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