On Tuesday afternoon at the WU Athletics complex the Wilmington University men's soccer team pulled out a 2-1 win with two second half goals to beat National Soccer Coaches Association of America 17th ranked Shippensburg University in nonconference action.
The Wildcats (1-1) started their comeback in the second half when they were awarded a penalty kick goal in the 61st minute of the game. Femi Akintunde was fouled in the box giving Lance Berry the chance to tie the game and get his first goal of the season.
Wilmington took the lead for good when junior Gregory Bishop, sophomore Steven O'Connor and junior Samuel Naiwo connected with a beautiful goal in the 77th minute of the match. O'Connor one timed a throw in to Samuel who put it right on the foot of Bishop on the far post for a magnificent goal giving Wilmington the 2-1 lead.
The Raiders took the lead late in the first half when Renaldo Garcia assisted in Jeff Ballard's first goal of the season. Garcia switch the ball to Ballard on the right side and he had a left footed strike from 20 yards out to give the Raiders the 1-0 lead. Shippensburg took the 1-0 lead into the halftime break following the goal in the 41st minute.
Sophomore Juan Bernal and junior Samuel Naiwo kept the heat on the Raiders as both finished with three shots on goal in the match. Bernal had two shots in the first half and a shot that sailed high in the second half. Naiwo started the game off by putting pressure on Shippensburg's goalie Evan Raimist with two quick shots in the fifth and sixth minutes.
In the final moments, the Wildcats had a chance to seal the game when junior Josh Fawssett had a shot on goal but it was saved by the Raiders goalie. Raimist made six saves in the contest for the Red Raiders.
The Wildcats dominated the game with 18 total shots, eight of which were on goal, and five corner kicks to only seven shots (five on goal) and three corner kicks for Shippensburg.
Wilmington's goalie Frank Hall had four saves in the game giving him his fist win of the season.
The Wildcats travel to West Chester for their first road game of the team, squaring off against West Chester this upcoming Friday, September 12. Kickoff is set for 3:00 pm.
Press release written by Wilmington Sports Information Assistant Nick Lentelle