NEWARK, Del. – Just 24 seconds into overtime, senior Fredrik Bentdal gave the Wilmington University men's soccer team the game winning goal on a low cross from Shawn Genus to defeat No. 1 West Chester, 2-1, on Wednesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The victory over the Golden Rams is the first time in Wilmington University history that a team has defeated the No. 1 ranked team in the country while only the second time facing a No. 1 opponent.
The Wildcats (3-0) started the game off fast, as Lorne Bickley got them on the board in just the second minute of play on a cross from the right side from Abdul Mansaray. The No. 1 seeded West Chester (1-1) would find themselves down early in the contest as well as on the defensive side for most of the first half.
Between the fifth and 10th minute of play, Wilmington would have a chance on three corner kicks, but were blocked, and another opportunity in the 24th minute, as they had three consecutive corners, and two shots from Bickley and Keith Sanderson, but both were saved by the Golden Rams.
West Chester would not get a shot off until the 30th minute of play thanks the Wildcats' defense. WilmU would have a chance at the end of the half with another corner, but would take the 1-0 lead into the break.
The Golden Rams would try and find some momentum in the second half, putting up six shots compared to their first half of only two. As the clock continued to wine down in the final minutes, the Wildcats would try to keep the ball on West Chester's side of the field. With 15 seconds left in regulation, the Golden Rams sent a long ball over the top to Doug Goitia on the right side who would make it past the Wildcat defenders for the tying goal, forcing overtime.
West Chester started with possession to start the overtime period, but would turn the ball over right away. A pass from Abdul Mansaray to Lorne Bickley in the middle would set Shawn Genus up on the right side for a low cross to the back left post for Fredrik Bendtal to knock in the game winning goal.
The goal from Bentdal is the first of the season for him, as Lorne Bickley netted his fourth goal on six shots in just his third game. Abdul Mansaray and Shawn Genus would get the assists. Gabriel Prgomet would get the win and improve to 3-0 on the season, while making two saves in net.
The Wildcats outshot the Rams, 17-8, and totaled 10 corner kicks to the visitor's four.
Wilmington will head on the road for the first time in 2019, traveling Saturday afternoon to take on New York Tech. Opening whistle is set for 2:30 p.m. at President's Stadium.
