DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance men’s soccer team won its season opener in dramatic fashion as sophomore forward Jaiden Henderson scored a goal in the 84th minute to defeat Wittenberg University.

The game began with both teams trying to control possession and the flow of the game. The first scoring opportunity in the game occurred when Wittenberg’s Marshall Rowland had a breakaway opportunity in the 24th minute only to be denied by a great save from Jackets' keeper Sean Roberts.

The two teams battled to halftime with the tie remaining scoreless. In the first half Wittenberg outshot the Yellow Jackets by a mark of eight to four.

After halftime both teams continued to struggle to gain control of the game until Henderson’s late game-winning goal. On the play, senior Joe Loftis cut into the box and slid a perfectly weighted pass to Henderson, who slotted the ball past the keeper.

After the goal the Jackets tightened up the defense and stifled every attack Wittenberg sent their way.

With the win Defiance is now 1-0 on the young season. The Jackets are next in action on Sunday, September 4 at Winsper-Knobel Memorial Field where Defiance will host Thiel in the final day of the DC Classic.