By Caleb Scott

ADA -- The Ohio Northern men's soccer team used a strong second half effort to power past Kalamazoo (Mich.) 3-1 on the opening day of the ONU Invitational on Friday afternoon at Kerscher Stadium.

The Polar Bears improve to 2-1-1 overall, while the Hornets fall to 1-2-0.

After the first half proved to be a defensive battle, both teams would find success offensively in the second half.

The Hornets were able to strike first in the contest, as they found the back of the net in the 53rd minute to take a 1-0 lead early in the second half.

Just over a minute later, junior Joseph Schulte (Copley) answered after freshman Zachary Yoder (Goshen, Ind./Kamiakin) found Schulte on who found the back of the net to knot the game at 1-1.

Yoder would give Northern the lead in the 61st minute as senior Cory Lains (Zionsville, Ind./Community) played a cross into the goalies box and Yoder one touched the ball past into the net to give ONU a 2-1 lead.

Freshman Logan Whinery (Westlake) was able to gather a rebounded ball from a deflection by sophomore Noah Bachwitz (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville North) and added an insurance goal in the 71st minute to seal the 3-1 victory.

Junior Kyle Dunnavant (Mount Vernon) earned the victory in the goal and improved his record to 2-1-1 on the year after posting a complete game and recording one save.

The Polar Bears outshot the Hornets by a 15-6 margin and shutout the Hornets in the corner kick battle 4-0.

Northern returns to action tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm as they take on Thomas More (Ky.) in the final day of the ONU Invitational.