RIPON, Wisconsin – Competing against one of the best teams in the region and in the country, the Ripon men's soccer program battled Edgewood for the full 90 minutes on Monday, though the Red Hawks were defeated 1-0 at Hopp Stadium.
 
Ripon (11-6) faced a stern test in its final non-conference match of the season – Edgewood (14-1-2) entered play on Monday with a top-40 NCAA Power Index rating, and was second in all of Division III in scoring (4.06 goals per game) and points per game (11.00). However, the Red Hawks did not back down all evening.
 
Both teams had excellent chances in the first 45 minutes, though neither was able to break the tie – Trent Kazlauskas had two headers right in front of the net, but Edgewood snuffed both out as the teams headed into the break deadlocked at zero. Shots in the opening half were 10-4 in favor of the Eagles.
 
Three minutes into the second half, Edgewood capitalized and took the lead. The Eagles crossed the ball from the right side of the field to the left before Connor Gage knocked it to Brandon Kaup, who headed it in for the go-ahead goal.
 
The remainder of the match was a physical, fast-paced affair, with both sides producing chances offensively and holding strong defensively. Edgewood had a 12-1 shot advantage in the second half, holding Ripon out of the goal to earn the road victory.
 
Kazlauskas had a team-high two shots for Ripon, while Andre Robertson, Jesse Ward and Owen Kramar also produced shots for the Red Hawks.
 
Sam Jahnke played all 90 minutes in goal, recording eight saves.
 
UP NEXT: Ripon continues its postseason push on Saturday (October 26) as the Red Hawks visit Monmouth for an 11 a.m. kick.
 
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