NEWARK, Del. - - Concordia's Ekene Okereke and Jonathan slipped through the Wilmington University men's soccer defense on a 2-on-1 in the 15th minute, converting on one of their few opportunities to steal a 1-0 victory on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.
With the loss, Wilmington (6-7, 2-5 CACC) had its season long four match win streak snapped as Concordia (5-6-1, 3-4-1 CACC) picked up three important points to launch themselves back into the mix in the CACC standings with 10 points. Wilmington fell to a point behind Concordia with nine points.
Controlling the first 15 minutes of play and looking like the team that defeated three regionally ranked opponents in its past four victories, the Wildcats gained three corner kicks in a two minute span, but could not get a result form either of them. The best opportunity came on the final corner as a ball to the back post found Sam Fahnboto at the edge of the 18-yard box where he half volleyed a ball, beating the keeper but unable to sneak it under the crossbar.
Forty five seconds later, the Clippers had a 1-0 lead.
On a counter attack, the Clippers used a long back out of the back of the defense to Short on the left side. The ball sprung short and Okereke for a 2-on-1 as short drew the defender to the left side before passing the ball back across the field to a wide open Okereke who beat Wildcat goalkeeper Spyros Stergiotis for the game's lone goal.
The Wildcats help possession and the advantage on the stat sheet in all offensive categories, but could not put the final touches together in the attacking third to get a mark on the scoreboard.
Wilmington outshot the Clippers 6-2 in each half, coming away with a 12-4 advantage for the match. Clipper goalkeeper Ruel Gordon made five saves on the afternoon for the shutout victory. The Wildcats also held the advantage on corner kicks, 5-1, for the match.
The top 10 teams in the CACC are separated by only six points, with only a three point swing from 10th place and second place. The Wildcats currently sit in 10th with nine points, but still play Chestnut Hill (nine points), Caldwell (nine points), and Holy Family (10 points) to move up the CACC standings. Top eight teams advance to the CACC Tournament.
The Wildcats have a week off before stepping away from the CACC for a match, when they welcome Dowling to the WU Athletics Complex on Saturday for a non-conference match. The game is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.