Men’s soccer

The No. 4 men’s soccer team continued their undefeated season as they beat Case Western Reserve University 4-0 in just their second home game of the year, backed by the buzzing and moderately rowdy home crowd for Kenyon’s homecoming weekend. This was just the second meeting between the Spartans and Owls since 2019, and Kenyon continued their winning streak. The defense was stout as usual, only allowing one shot on target, while the Kenyon offense did what it does best: score goals. 

Sebastian Gaese ’23 bagged the first goal of the game just past the eight minute mark, chipping the ball over the rushing goalkeeper and then tapping it home. Ten minutes later, Sam Carson ’23 finished off a brilliant sequence of passing after an immaculate combination between Mac Nardiello-Smith ’23 and Gaese, who set up the assist. The Owls took comfortable control of the rest of the half, not allowing a single shot on target, and entered the break at 2-0.  In the second half, Kenyon made it three when Minkael Soumah ’23 passed the ball to Atli Hrafnkelsson ’23 who burst past his defender and returned the favor to Soumah, giving him an open net tap-in. Finally, with eight minutes to go in the contest, Alem Duratovic ’25 coolly dispatched his NCAC-leading ninth goal of the season when he rounded the last defender and slotted the ball into the top left corner. 

The Owls now have had 11 different players score at least one goal this season, a testament to their offensive selflessness. When asked to describe the squad dynamic, Carson could only praise his team in his email to the Collegian: “We have a relentless team and a lot of talented players, but most importantly we work together and play an unselfish game. We have a group of guys who care more about winning games than winning individual awards, which I think is why we have so many goal scorers.” It seems very likely that even more names will be added to the goal-scoring list in the upcoming fixtures. 

The 8-0 Owls have now finished non-conference play, and their next game will be at home against The College of Wooster on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Women’s soccer

On Saturday, the Kenyon women’s soccer team fiercely battled the Panthers of Hanover College (Ind.) on the road, but unfortunately settled for a 2-2 draw. In their game at Muskingum College, the Owls were able to rebound, earning a 1-0 victory.

Hanover put on the pressure early, taking a 1-0 lead 30 seconds into the game. The Owls responded with two on-target shots in quick succession, but it took until the 19th minute for Kenyon to convert their chances in front of the goal. Following a save by Kenyon goalkeeper Leah Anderson ’23, Hailey Moss ’25 assisted midfielder Morgan Baker ’25 to tie the game up at 1-1. The Owls and Panthers traded possession and shots-on-goal until the halftime whistle. 

The beginning of the second half was more of the same back-and-forth, until the Owls broke the deadlock in the 67th minute. Kenyon gained a 2-1 advantage over Hanover from a strike by Jenna Michel ’26, the first goal of her Kenyon career. 

However, the advantage Kenyon held was brief — Hanover scored the equalizer 38 seconds later. Despite an onslaught of shots from the Panthers in the dying minutes of the game, the Owls’ defense was able to fend off the heightened attack. The score remained 2-2 when the final whistle blew. 

On Wednesday, Kenyon brought the pressure early against Muskingum. By the 20th minute, the Owls had racked up five shots and were looking to convert on their chances. Shortly after a corner kick from Baker, Sadie Gould ’24 was able to break the ice with her first goal of the season. Kenyon kept up the offensive onslaught, ending the first half with nine shots on goal and a slim 1-0 lead. 

Though the Owls continued to press against Muskingum, putting up 16 shots in the second half, Muskingum goalkeeper Kelly Buck was equal to the task, turning away the seven shots-on-goal that she faced that period. Anderson, who made her only two saves of the game in the second half, ended the game with the team’s first shutout of the season.

With their record at 2-4-3, the Owls will open conference play on Saturday when they play Ohio Wesleyan University at home.