PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The undefeated streak to start the 2019 season has come to an end for the No. 15 ranked Wilmington University men's soccer team, as they dropped a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference match, 2-0, at Holy Family's Tiger Field on Wednesday afternoon.
The loss is the first of the season for the Wildcats, as they drop to 8-1 overall and 3-1 in the CACC. The loss also snaps a streak of 10 consecutive games in which the Wildcats scored a goal, dating back to last season. Holy Family improved to 3-5 overall, 1-2 in the CACC with the upset.
The Wildcats started fast in the contest, earning a pair of corners in the first two minutes. They also had the first shot of the game in the 14th minute off the foot of Fredrik Bentdal in the 14th minute.
But it was Holy Family's first attempt that found the back of the net, as the Tigers scored on a free kick following a yellow card in the 21st minute.
Lorne Bickley had back-to-back shots for the Wildcats late in the half, but one was blocked and one was wide. Bentdal also took another corner for the Wildcats in the 44th minute, but to no avail.
Out of the break, Gabriel Prgomet needed to make a save in the 48th minute to force a corner, but it as the second corner of the half that produced another Tigers' goal. The corner in the 57th minute was taken, but a foul moments later produced a penalty kick opportunity 57:07 into the match. Matthew Flanagan stepped up and made it 2-0 in favor of the home team.
A Ben Jordan shot was blocked out of bounds and Shawn Genus put a shot on frame off the ensuring corning, but Mark Tobin was able to make the stop for the Tigers. Ben Jordan had another opportunity in the 66th minute, but his penalty shot attempt was also saved by Tobin to keep the Wildcats off the board.
In a last ditch effort, the Wildcats forced another corner in the 84th minute and Shawn Genus had a pair of shots. His first sailed high in the 87th minute and his second shot in the 89th minute was also stopped by Tobin. A header by Joe Bell hit the post with 13 seconds left on the clock.
The Wildcats outshot the Tigers, 13-5, and also earned more corners, 9-5. Mark Tobin made all six stops for the Tigers while Prgomet recorded one save in the loss. Shawn Genus and Ben Jordan led the Wildcats with two shots on goal each.
The Wildcats will look to get back to their winning ways on Saturday, as they host Post at the WU Athletics Complex. The opening whistle is set for 2:30 p.m.