Despite controlling the pace of play in the second half, the Wilmington University men's soccer team couldn't find the back of the net as the Wildcats dropped the heartbreaking Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship match, 1-0, to top seeded Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon at LaMoy Field.
Vying for their second ever CACC Tournament Championship title, and first since the 2007 season, the sixth seeded Wildcats (13-8) outshot the Rams (16-4-1), 8-5, for the match, including a 6-1 advantage in the second half. The Wildcats also posted an advantage of 7-0 in corners.
But it was the Rams that struck first who were looking for their second straight CACC Tournament Championship.
The Rams' Victor Chagonda received a ball over the top from James Ruff in the 19th minute. Getting in behind the Wildcat defense, Chagonda was alone with Wilmington goalkeeper Frank Hall and slid it past the charging netminder a second before 19 minutes have elapsed in the contest.
Following the halftime break, Samuel Naiwo, Lance Berry, Adrian Tash, and Josh Fawssett all put shots on goal, but the Rams' Thomas Attamante came up with the save on each opportunity.
The Wildcats defeated the third seed (Concordia) in the Quarterfinals and the second seed (Dominican) in the Semifinals, but fell just short of their goal as they faced their third straight higher seeded opponent in Philadelphia on Saturday.
For their play throughout the entire CACC Tournament, Wilmington junior Josh Fawssett, Samuel Naiwo, and Joe Woodley were named to the CACC All-Tournament Team.
The loss is the end of the 2014 season for the Wildcats and the careers of two seniors on the team. Vitor Lima and Pedro Moreira each played their final game in the Green and White this afternoon. They were both a member of the team that won its first ever NCAA East Regional Tournament contest last season.
AGATE:
2014 CACC Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team
Rafique Roberts (Bloomfield)
Juan Amaya (Chestnut Hill)
Sam Odell (Caldwell)
Christian Castro (Caldwell)
Matheus Sousa (Dominican)
Luis Delpezo (Dominican)
Josh Fawssett (Wilmington)
Samuel Naiwo (Wilmington)
Joe Woodley (Wilmington)
Jordan Lynch (Philadelphia U.)
Seiji Rose (Philadelphia U.)
Victor Chagonda (Philadelphia U.)
Ishmaiah Calwrie (Philadelphia U.)
Thomas Attamante (Philadelphia U.)
MVP: Victor Chagonda (Philadelphia U.)