HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. --- Senior Jack Delaney (Virginia Beach) scored the opening goal and tallied an assist to help Hampden-Sydney College claim its first NCAA Tournament victory 3-0 over Otterbein (OH) University on Saturday evening at Hellmuth-Gibson Field.
 
The Tigers came close to taking the lead in the 23rd minute when junior Tyler Petz (Cary, NC) crossed the ball in and senior Walker Stebbings (Forest) headed it into the top right corner, but was called offside, negating the goal. The goal was coming for H-SC, and in the 26th minute it was found, as sophomore Colin Hallman (Cornelius, NC) crossed the ball in from the right wing to the back post, getting over the goalie and onto the head of Delaney to take the lead. The goal marked the first goal in an NCAA Tournament game in program history. The final 19 minutes did not see another shot, so the Tigers took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
 
H-SC was agonizingly close to a second goal in the 55th minute, when senior Mason Dudley (Virginia Beach) chipped the goalie only for his shot to trickle just wide of the net. It took 30 minutes for the Tigers to get another real chance at a goal, as off a corner Dudley whipped it in and the ball deflected to senior Michael Farmer (Virginia Beach) to uncork a rocket off the half-volley that was saved into the crossbar by the goalie before Stebbings cleaned up the rebound to double the lead. H-SC had one more goal in it, as with less than two minutes to play, Delaney played a ball into the run of sophomore Zakky Johnston (Meherrin), who slowed down for a moment before taking one touch with his right foot and firing a left-footed shot off a defender and in. Otterbein had a final chance with five seconds remaining that flew over the crossbar as H-SC secured a 3-0 win.
 
The Tigers held the advantage in shots (10-8) and shots on target (6-2).
 
Freshman goalie Stig Larson (Richmond) earned his 14th win of the season, making two saves and securing his eighth shutout.
 
The Tigers will be back in action on Sunday, November 16, for the Second Round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament against Emory (GA) University. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Hellmuth-Gibson Field. Tickets are required for the game and can be purchased here.