DC scores two in second half to beat Westminster, 2-1

DEFIANCE, Ohio – In a highly competitive bout, the Yellow Jacket men's soccer squad defeated the Westminster Titans 2-1 on Sunday, September 1. Goals by sophomore Blayne Robbins and junior Ashten Forde propelled Defiance to its first 2-0 start under head coach Alex Van der Sluijs.

It was a battle early on in the contest, as both DC and Westminster fought for ball control. The defensive effort was solid on both ends and the score remained 0-0 through the first 35 minutes of the match. But with just under 10 minutes remaining in the half, the Titans Ethan McCarthy poked in a goal to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage. That score would stand through the rest of the half, as neither squad could punch one in.

Then in the second half, the Purple and Gold came out with some energy and put together a great half. DC was showing some great ball movement and finally racked up a corner kick in the 50th minute. Sophomore Jordan Drake took the kick and beautifully placed the ball into the box, where Robbins headed it in for the game tying score. It was the defenseman's first goal of his career.

With all the momentum shifted to the home team, Defiance kept the pressure on and struck again in the 57th minute when Forde beat his defender one-on-one in the box and then rocketed a goal into the upper right 90. His fellow teammates hoisted the midfielder in celebration of his second goal on the year that gave the Jackets a 2-1 lead.

From then on, DC packed in the defense and was able to keep the Titans out of the net and hold on for the victory. The two goals tied in with the three scores on Friday gives the Jackets five in their first two games. Defiance didn't reach that mark until the 11th game of the 2012 campaign.

The Purple and Gold's next game is set for Saturday, September 8 when the team travels to Alliance, Ohio to take part in the Mount Union Invite. DC will face off against the Purple Raiders at 8 pm.