OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. - - Daniel Loyo scored with 2:55 left in regulation to force overtime as the Wilmington University men's soccer team worked a 3-3 tie at NYIT in nonconference action on Thursday afternoon at President's Stadium.
The Wildcats (4-3-3 overall) scored the first two goals of the contest, but the Bears (3-5-1) came roaring back with two goals of their own in the first half. NYIT took the lead with a goal in the 72nd minute before Loyo scored his second of the season to force overtime.
Abdul Mansaray put the Wildcats on the board in the 11th minute, scoring his fifth of the season to give the visitors a 1-0 lead 10:49 into the contest. He took a feed from Manuel Ruiz Luque and beat the Bears goalkeeper to the left.
The Wildcats capitalized on their next opportunity as well, as Lorne Bickley scored his team leading eighth goal of the season in the 18th minute. Dimitrios Topouzlis fed Bickley a ball and the forward flicked a shot over the Bears' goalie for the early 2-0 lead.
The Bears didn't lie down, however, as they got on the board in the 30th minute. A misplay in the backfield allowed the Bears to counter as the first half seconds wound down, getting another one behind starting goalkeeper Conor Halsted just before the buzzer sounded to tie the game, 2-2, at the half.
NYIT made it three unanswered goals in the 72nd minute, coming all the way back to take a 3-2 lead with just over 18 minutes to play.
Loyo had a chance off a corner just a minute later, but his header sailed high. The defender wouldn't miss with his next chance.
Loyo tallied his second goal of the season after taking the ball away from the defender, placing a shot in the left upper-90 with 2:55 to play in regulation. Neither the Wildcats nor the Bears got a shot off before the end of regulation.
The Wildcats had the first opportunity in the overtime session as well, as they came out of the gates with high pressure. The Wildcats worked a corner in the 93rd minute, but Loyo's header was just high, landing onto of the goal cage.
The Bears had the final two shots of both overtime periods, but neither found its way through to Wilmington goalkeeper Vinny Tasca.
Tasca made three saves after entering in at halftime while the Bears' goalkeeper Jonathan Rico made six stops for the home team. The Bears narrowly outshot the Wildcats, 13-11, for the match.
The Wildcats return to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action and to the WU Athletics Complex with their next game, as they host Caldwell on Saturday afternoon. The men will follow the women's game with an approximate start time of 2:30 p.m.
