MARION, Ind. – A great performance by the Indiana Wesleyan goalkeeper and a late penalty deep in the Davenport zone in overtime doomed the Panthers as the host Wildcats picked up a 2-1 win on Saturday night. Dzenan Catic recorded the lone DU goal as they fall to 5-1-0 on the season and will be in action on Wednesday at home against Holy Cross (Ind.).

Davenport dominated the play for much of the first half as they had a few real good opportunities just miss but it was the Wildcats who struck first on a tough penalty in the box resulting in a penalty kick goal by Tyrone Martin. DU did have one last gasp before the 45 was up but a great save by IWU netminder Josh Geopper helped IWU maintain a 1-0 edge at the break.

Coming out with even more offensive aggression in the second half paid off for the No. 21 ranked Panthers when Dzenan Catic notched his ninth goal of the season on a perfectly played in ball by Lito Esquivel in the 62'.

Moments later, Tyler Fischer looked to put DU on top but another brilliant save by Geopper kept the score knotted at 1-1. Geopper continued to keep IWU alive with a pair of diving saves on Catic and Cameron Cavanagh in the final five minutes of regulation and then one more as time expired on a shot by TJ Ifaturoti to send the game into overtime.

Early in the extra frame, DU had two more brilliant chances but just missed and then after a foul with 3:12 to play in OT, Indiana Wesleyan got a header by goalkeeper Alex Ghattas for the win.

The loss is the first of the year for Davenport as they will bring a 5-1-0 overall record into Wednesday's home opener against Holy Cross (Ind.).

Post-Match Notes
The Panthers and Wildcats are now even in their all-time series (2-2)…..Dzenan Catic is now leading the NAIA in goals (9) and points (21)…The overtime marked the second straight year DU has done that at the IWU Tourney (lost 1-2 to Rio Grande in 2013)…DU is now 0-2-1 under head coach Chris Hughes in overtime contests
 
Men's Soccer Contact: Aaron Sagraves | 616-554-5045 | asagraves@davenport.edu
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