A Pair of Second Half Goals Help No. 20 Wilmington Men’s Soccer Rebound with 2-0 CACC Victory over Post

A Pair of Second Half Goals Help No. 20 Wilmington Men’s Soccer Rebound with 2-0 CACC Victory over Post

Copyright 2015; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo of celebration following Josh Fawssett's goal by Frank Stallworth.

NEWARK, Del. - - A pair of second half goals less than three minutes apart secured a 2-0 victory for the No. 20 Wilmington University men's soccer team over Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference arch rival Post on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.

The Wildcats (11-2, 8-1 CACC), ranked No. 20 in the latest NSCAA Division II National Poll, rebounded on Saturday after losing its first CACC of the game of the year on Wednesday. Post (8-5-1, 6-3 CACC) fell to the Wildcats for only the second time in the last six meetings (4-1-1), with the only other loss coming in the 2013 NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament.

The teams went into the halftime break at a scoreless draw, as the Eagles narrowly out shot the Wildcats, 3-2, in the first 45 minutes. Each team had one great scoring chance, however, but Post's Francisco Sastre sent his opportunity high of the frame and Wilmington's Lance Berry sent a header off the post.

The Wildcats broke through in the 66th minute, as Clifford Nwechefom scored his team leading 11th goal off assists from Kristofer Michael and Joe Boulter. Michael put a pass on the foot of Boulter in the middle of the field outside the 18-yard box. Boulter actually put a shot towards the frame, but it went right to the foot of Nwechefom and he turned and beat Post goalkeeper Jon Hanlon to his left for the eventual game-winner.

Not even three minutes later, the Wildcats were at it again inside the Eagles' box. Juan Bernal sent a ball towards the back post with a shot from atop of the "D" on the penalty box. Josh Fawssett redirected the ball back on frame, guiding the ball to the far post for his fifth goal of the season.

The win was another victory over a NSCAA East Regionally ranked team for the Wildcats, as the Eagles were ranked No. 9 earlier this week.

Wilmington out shot Post, 7-5, in the second half to out shoot the Eagles, 9-8, for the match. The Eagles earned more corners, 5-4, but the Wilmington defense cleared the ball out each time.

Wilmington goalkeeper Frank Hall made four saves for his sixth shutout of the season, one shy of tying the single season program record. Hanlon recorded four saves for the Eagles in the loss.

The Wildcats remain at home for one more contest, as they host crosstown rival Goldey-Beacom on Tuesday for another CACC matchup. The Wildcats and Lightning begin action at 3:30 p.m.