Ohio Wesleyan’s Revenge Win Over Kenyon Sets Up a Denison Final for a Fourth NCAC Title in Six Years

Revenge, served cold and by a single goal.

Second-seeded Ohio Wesleyan beat third-seeded Kenyon 1-0 on Wednesday evening in the NCAC semifinal, wiping out the sting of a 3-0 loss to the Owls earlier this season. The Battling Bishops, now 15-4, will face top-seeded Denison in Saturday’s NCAC final at 2 p.m. in Granville, chasing a fourth conference tournament title in six seasons.

The goal came in the 32nd minute, and it was scruffy in the best way. Emma Reynolds sent a shot off a defender and up over the keeper, with Hyland finding her from the corner. That was all Ohio Wesleyan needed, because the rest of the game was about control. The Bishops outshot Kenyon 16-5, led 7-1 in shots on goal and 6-2 on penalty corners, and goalkeeper Payton Mindel needed just one save for her sixth complete-game shutout of the season.

Reynolds’ goal was her ninth of the season, moving her level with Grace Ammon for third on the team, and her 22 points rank fourth for the Bishops. She’s become the player who decides tight games, and this was about as tight as they come.

For our money, Denison at home are favourites on Saturday. But Ohio Wesleyan have already shown they can win a game 1-0 when it matters, and a team that defends like that travels well. One goal might be enough again.