Copyright 2015; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo following Lance Berry's first goal by James Jones.
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - - The Wilmington University men's soccer team captured it second ever Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Regular Season Championship with a 7-0 victory in the regular season finale at Georgian Court on Thursday afternoon.
The Wildcats (14-2, 9-2 CACC) used nine different point getters to snap a two-game losing streak and capture sole possession of the CACC Regular Season Championship for the first time since 2009. The Wildcats already had the No. 1 seed in next weeks CACC Tournament wrapped up, but needed at least a point today to ensure sole possession of the regular season crown.
With the loss, Georgian Court (7-6-2, 4-4-2 CACC) must win at Caldwell on Friday afternoon to earn a spot in the CACC Tournament.
The scoring started early for the Wildcats, as they quickly gained a 3-0 lead in the first 14 minutes of play, with all three goals coming in a span of 6:03. Senior Lance Berry opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the year, heading home a corner quick opportunity from Geoff Velasquez just 7:56 into the match.
The teams leading goal scorer, Clifford Nwechefom was up to the task three minutes later, as he converted a back heel pass from Berry into this 15th goal of the year 10:56 into the match. Berry was at it again moments later, as he found the back of the net once again on a header, this time being the recipient of a cross form the left side from Velasquez 13:59 into the match for his 11th of the season.
Not to be out done, Nwechefom responded with his second goal of the game in the 30th minute, getting on the end of a cross from Adrian Tash to tally his 16th of the season. The Wildcats went into the halftime break leading 4-0.
Three different Wildcats recorded goals in the second half, as Steven O'Connor connected for his fifth of the season in the 51st minute. Senior defender Jo Woodley got in on the scoring action, scoring his first collegiate career goal in the 69th minute, finishing the end of the free kick from Joe Boulter. Junior Morgan Shutter tallied his first goal as a Wildcat in the 75th minute, capping the scoring on a breakaway from Jamie Burridge.
The Wildcats outshot the Lions, 20-13, putting nine of those shots on frame. Frank Hall recorded his seventh shut out of the season by making six saves, tying the program mark set by Dan Mangat (2007) and Duhan Malali (2009).
The Wildcats will host the No. 8 seed in the CACC Tournament First Round on Monday at the WU Athletics Complex, with the No. 8 seed to be determined following Friday's action.
Since Monday will be a part of the CACC Tournament, admission will be taken at the gate. The fee to enter the WU Athletics Complex will be $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children and senior citizens. Any Wilmington University student with a valid ID and children under the age of three will be admitted for free.
The opening whistle is set for 2:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon.
