Greencastle, Ind. - DePauw fell to Illinois Wesleyan at home 7-6 despite two late goals from Oscar Kokke and Trevor Martay. DePauw falls to 1-3 and Illinois Wesleyan moves to 2-2.
The Titans started hot, scoring three goals in the first six minutes of play. The Titans' first three goals were scored by Ethan Cavanaugh, Nate Pound, and Karsten Nordlie. DePauw would finish the first quarter with a two-goal run, including a man-up goal from Trevor Martay, who picked up a loose ball and took it to the net. Kam Shivar would add the second on a near-side alley dodge that beat the IWU keeper to finish the quarter down 3-2.
DePauw opened the scoring in the second quarter thanks to a rip from sophomore Oscar Kokke. The Titans answered back with a goal from Jake Kahoun. Carter Cassidy would level the game when he scored a lefty jump shot off a fast break assist from junior Will Glimco. Kahoun and Pound would tack on two more, sending the Tigers into the half trailing by a score of 6-4.
Senior goalkeeper Anthony Reinhardt came alive to start the second half, making three consecutive one-on-one saves to prevent the deficit from growing larger. Reinhardt's stalwart effort in the third quarter held the Titans to one goal, which they scored on the man advantage when Owen Miller stuck one between Reinhardt's legs. It would be the Titans' last goal of the game.
In a back-and-forth battle in the fourth quarter, both teams exchanged shots, turnovers, and penalties. Reinhardt continued to make big save after big save. Kokke would contribute one more, cutting the deficit to two with about ten minutes to play. Martay would bring the Tigers within one when he finished a spinning shot off a feed from Shivar. Reinhardt's biggest save of the night came when he denied a fast break rip from IWU Defender Kade Meirs to give the Tigers a final attempt with around two minutes to play.
DePauw was led offensively by Martay and Kokke who each scored two goals. Glimco and Shivar tallied the team's 2 assists. Juniors Jack Brand and Russ Nelson each led the way with 5 ground balls, while Jack Blum and Brody Carlson added 4 each. Nolan Childs led the defense with four caused turnovers, and Brand added on three. Reinhardt was an anchor in net, making 13 saves and finishing the night with a 65% save percentage. Evan Cleveland went 36% at the face-off dot.
The Titans were led offensively by Kahoun and Pound with two goals apiece. Timothy McHugh would tally the team's only assist on Miller's goal. Nordlie led the team with five ground balls. Three Titans tallied a team-high two caused turnovers. Michael Rocco won a team-high six face-offs and finished with a 67% win percentage.
The Tigers are back in action Saturday, February 28th, at 1 p.m. when they travel to Pennsylvania to take on Westminster (Pa.).
