Press Release Written by Athletics Operations Manager Rich Groff

NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University men's soccer team used a first half goal and a second half penalty kick to take the Central Athletic Collegiate Conference matchup, 2-0, over visiting Jefferson at the WU Athletics Complex on Wednesday afternoon.

Jefferson (13-4-1, 10-1-1 CACC) could not put a shot on the Wildcats' Vinny Tasca, who is the CACC's leading goalkeeper, in the first half of play. Wilmington (10-5-3, 9-3 CACC) did not allow Jefferson to put a shot on goal until the 88^th minute of play.

The Wildcats scored in the 34^th minute, as Manuel Ruiz Luque would find Abdul Mansaray down the left side of the box. That's all Mansaray would need as he crossed back to his right and found the far post for his 10^th goal of the year.

The Wildcats would have three more opportunities in the first half as Jake Meyer went high over the goal in the 36^th minute before Sam Jester took a header wide right in the 37^th minute. Dominic Folarin would take the final shot of the half in the 42^nd minute, hitting the outside netting on a half volley.

The second half would see much of the same from the Wildcats as they continued to play good defense and continue to pressure on the Rams' keeper Ben Sauer. Mansaray would try Sauer right away in the 48^th minute but only to be denied by a diving Sauer. Lorne Bickley had a good opportunity while finding himself in on goal after a back heal from Mansaray, but Sauer came off his line to make the sliding save one again. Sauer would finish the day with four saves on six shots on goal.

Mansaray wrecked havoc again in the 60^th minute, getting behind the defense and into the box on the right side. Jefferson dragged down Mansaray in the box, presenting the Wildcats with a penalty kick. Fredrik Bentdal deposited a left footed kick to the back of the net for his second of the season and the 2-0 lead.

The Rams' best opportunity would come on a Wildcats' handball in the box in the 88^th minute that would bring Jefferson's Seiji Rose to the spot, Tasca would make his only save of the game diving to his right to push the low kick attempt away and take the wind right out of the sail of the Rams.

That is all the Wildcats would need as Tasca would make one save on one shot on goal to bring his CACC leading save percentage up to .823. Tasca now hasn't allowed a goal in 392:58 minutes, dating back to October 7. The Wildcats out shot the Rams, 13-3, including 6-0 in the first half.

The Wildcats will now await a game to be played on Friday between Bloomfield and Caldwell to determine their seeding in the upcoming CACC Tournament. A Bloomfield win pushes the Wildcats to the fourth seed.

The Wildcats guaranteed themselves a home game and will be hosting a first round game to be played on Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.