Bruno Montini put home a free kick in the second half to lead the Wilmington University men's soccer to a 2-1 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over Concordia on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex during the 2014 Wilmington Homecoming Weekend.
It was the sixth consecutive victory for the Wildcats (6-1 overall, 3-0 CACC) as the Clippers (4-1-1, 3-1-1 CACC) suffered the first loss of the season in the tightly contested contest.
Lance Berry put the Wildcats on the board first early in the first half, putting home a cross from Montini in the 11th minute. Montini made a run into the box and made his way to the endline before finding Berry on the back post for his fourth goal of the season.
But the Wildcats were unable to maintain the momentum as the Clippers responded less than two minute later on a scramble in the box following a corner. CACC goal scoring leader Ovan Oakley put home a rebound shot off David Roberson who was outside the 18-yard box, cleaning up the play after the corner. Oakley was on the back post as the ball was deflected by a Wildcat defender, putting in his CACC leading seven goal of the year.
Wilmington held a 9-3 lead in shots at the halftime, maintaining the bulk of the offensive possession throughout the first 45 minutes.
The possession continued throughout the first moments of the second half, as they ended up leading in shots, 17-4, for the match.
But it wasn't until the 52nd minute before the Wildcats were able to find the back of the net again.
Following a foul and a yellow card to Concordia's Gio-Vaughni Linton, Montini's left footed shot from the right side went around the five-man wall, beating Concordia goalkeeper Ruel Gordon to his right side and into the side of the net.
Concordia received votes in the latest NSCAA National Poll last week, being the only team from the CACC listed on the poll.
JJ Naiwo recorded six shots for the Wildcats on Saturday, while Tom Debenham, Josh Fawssett, and Juan Bernal posted two shots each.
Gordon made seven saves for the Clippers, keeping them in the contest throughout the second half. Wilmington goalkeeper Frank Hall made two saves to pick up the victory.
The Wildcats end their six games in 10 days with six victories and return to action on Wednesday at the WU Athletics Complex. The team remains in CACC action and face Chestnut Hill with a 4 p.m. start.