(October 6, 2009) FERRUM, VA – The Hampden-Sydney soccer team won their sixth straight game today at Ferrum College by a score of 1-0 on the strength of a Bryan Wharton penalty kick.

The Tigers came out of the gates firing on all cylinders and took early control of the match, notching several early scoring chances. In the sixth minute, freshman Nick DeProspero (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) had a shot on goal that was saved by a diving keeper. In the ensuing five minutes, the Tigers attack placed three more shots on goal, but none were able to find the back of the net. The visiting squad had another excellent chance in the 41st minute, but Bryan Wharton's (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) shot from the top of the box hit the crossbar. In the first half Hampden-Sydney outshot Ferrum 11-4, but the half ended in a frustrating 0-0 stalemate.

Undeterred, the Tigers kept their composure and poise to continue to control the flow of the game. Junior midfielder Matt Hampton (Virginia Beach, VA/Kellam) was everywhere, winning any ball in his area and distributing it to the front line. Although shots weren't finding the net at the time, the midfield's ability to keep the ball in the attacking side of the field was instrumental in pressuring the Ferrum back line. Hampden-Sydney was finally able to break through in the 77th minute, when DeProspero made a run up the right side of the field before being taken down in the penalty box. Wharton stepped up and confidently knocked the penalty kick into the net.

Although the Tigers were only able to find the goal once, they applied pressure on the Ferrum defense all game long and never stopped attacking. Hampden-Sydney outshot the Panthers by a margin of 23-6 on the day, including a difference of 14-2 in shots on goal. The Tigers also took seven corner kicks to Ferrum's one. The Hampden-Sydney back line was solid again, shutting out their fifth opponent in six tries. Goalkeeper John Robert Plyler (Charlotte, NC/Myers Park) stopped both shots that he faced.

Hampden-Sydney's sixth straight victory lifts their overall record to 10-2-0, while their ODAC record remains at 3-1-0. The Tigers' 10-2-0 overall record is tops in the ODAC, and the best start to a season in Coach Josh Laux's tenure. Hampden-Sydney will return to action on Saturday the 10th as they travel to take on Eastern Mennonite in a crucial ODAC matchup. Kickoff is set for 7 pm.