ELKINS – Tim Staerz scored a pair of first half goals to push the Davis & Elkins College Men's Soccer team into the great Midwest Athletic Conference Semis, as the Senators defeated Ohio Dominican 2-1 Saturday evening at Nuttall Field.
 
On a cold and rainy night, Staerz broke through quickly for the Senators, scoring goals in the 7^th minute and 12^th minute to give the hosts and No. 2 seed an early two goal lead.
 
The sophomore headed in a cross from Abel Ameyaw to give the Senators the lead at the 6:10 mark of the first half.
 
Just over five minutes later, Staerz fired home a rebound effort that was kicked out by Rafa Moreno to double Davis & Elkins' lead.
 
The Senators would limit the visitors to just four shots in the first 45 minutes, which never tested goalkeeper Hedi Mehnaoui.
 
However, the sophomore keeper was called into action to make three second-half saves as Ohio Dominican sent seven shots toward the Senators' goal.
 
Ohio Dominican had a breakthrough in the 63^rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive miscue from the Senators. Foster Martin laid out a perfect pass for Ryan Kasprzak who beat Mehnaoui on the quick turnover and counter attack to cut the deficit in half.
 
Davis & Elkins would hold on in the final minutes to earn a trip to New Concord, Ohio for the semifinals. The Senators will face Findlay at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday with a spot in the championship game on the line. The Senators beat Findlay 3-0 in the only meeting between the two schools this season.