TIFFIN, OH. – In a historical match-up between two teams that were not even predicted to qualify for the Great Midwest Tournament, the University of Findlay narrowly defeated the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's soccer team on Saturday. Little things matter in big games as the Oilers narrowly defeated the Panthers 1-0 in G-MAC Championship 
 
Findlay advances to the NCAA Tournament with the win, while the Panthers will await what the selection committee determines in a few days. The Oilers move to 11-3-5 on the year while the Panthers sit at 10-6-4. In August the Oilers were picked to finish seventh in the G-MAC while the Panthers were selected ninth. 
 
It was what a Championship match should be with high leverage situations and the smallest of details impacting the contest in a big way. Getting there was never the goal for Wesleyan, it is performing at the highest level and changing the standard for the program with the expectation of becoming G-MAC Champions.
 
Both teams had chances in the opening 45-minutes, as each team was aggressive and physical. Off their lone corner kick of the half, the Oilers scored in the 40^th minute on shot that was redirected through traffic in front of the Wesleyan goal.
 
With possession to lead-off the second period the Panthers looked to score early, like they did two days ago in the Semifinals. The Oilers were ready, but in the 56^th minute the Panthers nearly scored off a corner kick. Nikalas Henriksen's shot to the top the Oilers' goal was saved by Keegan Grant. 
 
Shortly thereafter Jacob Boling slipped through a double-team and caught Grant too far away from the goal-line, but his chip shot carried over Grant and the crossbar. Still facing a 1-0 deficit in the 74^th minute, Calum Newson had the ball down the near sideline. As he tried to cut in a collision 10-yards from the Oilers' goal returned possession back over to Findlay.
 
As time was running short, Boling got another chance, off a throw-in, the ball got passed back to Boling to the right of the box. With a solid strike, the ball was defected enough to change direction and land in the hands of Grant. 
 
The Panthers continued to apply pressure throughout the final minutes of the match, but the Oilers played steady defense to hang-on to the title. Soufian Khaloufi made two saves in the loss. 
 
It was the first 10-win season for the Panthers since 1991. They also were making their first ever appearance in the G-MAC Championship game since inception of the league. Wesleyan also has solidified three winning seasons in a row since 1983-84-85. 
 
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