(September 27, 2005) HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA – The soccer team at Hampden-Sydney College held on to knock off ODAC rival and nationally ranked Randolph-Macon College by a score of 1-0. The Tigers win evens their ODAC standings at 2-2 and improves their overall record to 5-4-1. The loss for the Yellow Jackets was their first of the season. Coming into the game, Randolph-Macon was listed as the #17 team in the country according to NSCAA/Adidas Division III rankings.

Both teams played fundamentally sound soccer in the first half, resulting in a 0-0 tie after the first 45 minutes of play. In the second half, sensing their opportunity for an upset, the Tigers played more of an attacking style in the early minutes. The Tiger's reward was a series of rapid fire shots on goal. One of those quick shots found the net after senior Grant Dickens (Raleigh, NC/Leesville Road) was denied by Randolph-Macon goalkeeper, Nick Warner. The rebound however, found senior captain Rob Johnson (Monmouth, NJ/Matchfit Academy) near the goalie box and with a sharp pass to freshman, Michael Krewinghaus (Yorktown, VA/Tabb H.S.) the Tigers had the first and only goal of the day.

Hampden-Sydney's defense held ground for the remainder of the game despite most of their back line playing with injuries. Worth noting was the play of junior defender Kerry Burke (Chester, VA/Thomas Dale), who saved a goal by kicking it out of mid air after freshman goalkeeper Ben Marchetti (Richmond, VA/ Benedictine) lost control of a rebound. In addition, Burke only came out of the game briefly to have a support bandage removed but still effectively shut down the Yellow Jackets best offensive weapon, forward Greg Ridout.

The Tigers will play their next game at home against Emory and Henry on Saturday October 1, 2005 at 3:00 pm.