Three Second Half Goals Lift Men’s Soccer Past No. 15 Adelphi, 3-1

Photo of Marcus Hedemann putting in the eventual game-winning goal in the 84th minute. Copyright 2021; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo by Trudy Spence. September 5, 2021 vs. #15 Adelphi at the WU Athletics Complex.
Photo of Marcus Hedemann putting in the eventual game-winning goal in the 84th minute. Copyright 2021; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo by Trudy Spence. September 5, 2021 vs. #15 Adelphi at the WU Athletics Complex.

NEWARK, Del. - - Three second half goals lifted the Wilmington University men's soccer team past nationally 15th ranked Adelphi, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.

Adelphi (0-1-1) scored just 6:10 into the match and took the 1-0 lead into the halftime break as the evenly paired teams each held momentum throughout the first 45 minutes.

It was Shawn Genus that broke the ice in the 64th minute and then Marcus Hedemann with the game-winner in the 84th. Marius Skattum Dahl put the game away in the 86th minute, as the Wildcats took control of the contest in the second half.

The Panther's netminder Harry Beasley kept a clean sheet in the first half, making a pair of saves, but none more impressive than on a Shawn Genus free-kick from 25 yards out in the 26th minute. Genus again had an opportunity late in the first half, but Beasley closed off the near post and Genus' shot bounced off the crossbar and stay out of the net.

The momentum shifted in the second half with Shoki Yoshida nearly getting on the board in the 58th minute, but Beasley got a hand up at the last moment to knock it out.

But the Wildcats kept momentum and finally capitalized in the 64th minute, as Shawn Genus and Reinoud van Eijk provided the pressure to steal the ball back deep in the Adelphi zone. Van Eijk collected the loose ball and played Genus forward. He was in alone on the keeper and slotted one low to the far post to knot things up, 1-1, with 27 minutes to play.

Shoki Yoshida had a point blank opportunity in the 77th minute, but he was turned aside by Beasley to keep it at 1-1.

They would keep pressuring the Panthers and finally found the back of the net once again in the 84th minute. Newly into the game, Lautaro Berisso made his presence known, assisting on the game-winner. He had the ball on the left flank and slotted a perfect ball to a hard charging Marcus Hedemann. Hedemann redirected the pass at the near post past Beasley for his first collegiate career goal.

Marius Skattum Dahl would add the insurance goal moments later, as Berisso was again in on the action. Shawn Genus laid off a pass for a wide open Berisso, but his initial shot was stopped by Beasley. Marius Skattum Dahl was in the right place at the right time, easily knocking in the rebound for the 3-1 lead with four minutes to play.

The Wildcats led in shots, 16-9, despite Adelphi earning more corners than the Wildcats, 7-5. Beasley made six saves in goal for the Panthers while Konstantinos Parisis made two saves for the win.

The Wildcats hit the road for the first time with their next contest. They head up the road to West Chester University on Wednesday to take on the Golden Rams. The first whistle is slated for 3:30 p.m.