DWU men win first of season at Presentation

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University men's soccer team closed out its first win off the season, hanging on for a 2-1 decision over Presentation College Sunday in Aberdeen, S.D.

The victory is also the first in the DWU coaching career for new head coach Paul Bennett, as the Tigers move to 1-4 on the season as the team continues to improve heading into Great Plains Athletic Conference play.

The Tigers and Saints battled to a scoreless tie at the half, despite Presentation outshooting DWU 10-1. Sophomore goalkeeper John Sutherland (Hartlepool, England) kept the Tigers in the game making four saves before the break.

The tie was broken by DWU freshman Connor Dodds (Durham, England) with his second goal of the season in the 66^th minute to break a long Tiger scoreless streak. DWU held off a Presentation attack for the next 15 minutes before Peter Wartenberg (Chaska, Minn.) put the Tigers up 2-0 with his first goal of the season.

The final minutes of the match were made a bit more stressful when the Saints secured a penalty kick goal in the 85^th minute. The Tigers held on down the stretch to secure the win. Sutherland finished with nine saves for his first win of the season.

DWU was outshot 24-9, but escaped with the win.

The Tigers continue nonconference play against Waldorf College at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Forest City, Iowa.