Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photos taken by James Jones.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - The offensive tandem of Juan Bernal and Lorne Bickley helped lead the Wilmington University men's soccer team to a win in their lone contest last week, earning them the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively, on Monday.
The duo each scored twice and added an assist in the Wildcats' (2-0) 6-2 victory over the University of the District of Columbia on Wednesday at the WU Athletics Complex.
Bernal (Mississauga, Ontario) gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead with his first goal of the season in the 13th minute on Wednesday. He followed that up with his second of the first half with another mark in the 41st minute. He finished off a cross by Bickley and one-touch drop pass by Daniel McDonald-Taylor to put the Wildcats ahead, 3-0.
Bickley (St. Helier, Jersey) got into the action late in the first half, scoring his first collegiate career goal in the 44th minute, slamming home a cross from Dimitris Topouzlis to give the Wildcats a 4-0 lead at the break.
Bickley and Bernal combined on the team's final goal of the game, bringing the lead to 6-1 in the 72nd minute. Bernal took a free kick from the left sideline, sending the ball into the box towards a mix of players. The six-foot three-inch Bickley rose above everyone and headed the ball into the top corner of the far post for his second goal of the game.
Bernal's second goal proved to be the game-winner as the Firebirds scored late to bring the game final at 6-2.
Wilmington women's soccer freshman Gabrielle Perry was named to the CACC Weekly Honor Roll after scoring a game-winner at Dominican while volleyball's Allison Briley and Rebecca Rawlinson were also named to the CACC Weekly Honor for their play in five matches last week.
CACC Weekly Report:
Men's Soccer