HIRAM, Ohio – September 30, 2023 – The Hiram defense showed its potential in a battle against a Denison team that received votes for the top-25 national rankings in Division III; the Terriers limited the Big Red to just six shots on goal in a 3-0 loss on Saturday afternoon at Henry Field.

A veteran defensive unit spearheaded by Travis Shrout, Jeremy Sgro and Vincent Rienzi played tough throughout the contest, replicating the team's impressive effort against a top-10 Mount Union team. The Big Red improved to 7-2-1 following the entertaining matchup; they previously had beaten No. 4 John Carroll on the road.

The first 35 minutes of the game were controlled by the defenses, with Denison getting a goal in the 22^nd minute but only three other shots being on goal between the two NCAC teams. Bobby Lucey was aggressive and was able to fire a crossing shot that sent the opposing goalkeeper into an outstretched, diving save.

A free-kick opportunity lifted Denison to a two-goal lead in the 38^th minute, as Kameron Kist distributed a short pass to Tyler Weiss for a goal from the right side of the field.

Hiram surrendered another goal in the 54^th minute but would play the remainder of the contest with defensive intensity. Denison would not record a shot on goal over the last 36 minutes of the game; the opposition's four shots during that span were all off target.

The Terriers earned a trio of corner kick opportunities in the 73^rd, 76^th and 87^th minutes, but couldn't find the crease in the defense to cut into the deficit. The team's second unit played hard in the closing minutes before the clock struck zero.

Another NCAC matchup is right around the corner, with Hiram and Wooster set to square off on Wednesday at 4 p.m. from John P. Papp Stadium in Wooster, Ohio.