ORANGEBURG, N.Y. - - Shawn Genus recorded a hat trick and the 14th ranked Wilmington University men's soccer team hung on down the stretch in defeating Dominican, 3-0, in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action on Friday afternoon at the Orangeburg Soccer Complex.
After losing their lone game of the year on October 9, the Wildcats have rattled off three straight wins and stand at 13-1-1 and 7-1 in CACC play. The Wildcats' 21 points in the conference moves them into first place for the time being. Georgian Court (19 points) is scheduled to play Post on Saturday.
Shawn Genus scored in the 37th minute to send the Wildcats into the half with a 1-0 lead but then came out and tacked on foals in the 71st minute and the 76th minute to give the Wildcats a 3-0 lead. Dominican's Marouf Barry scored goals in the 78th and 89th minutes, but the Wildcats hung on for the CACC victory.
The senior forward put the Wildcats on the board in the 37th minute, starting with a free kick from Konstantinos Parisis in their own end. In the middle of the field outside the 18-yard box, Shoki Yoshida and Marius Skattum Dahl played quick balls to Shawn Genus who turned and fired from atop the 18-yard box, finding the back of the net low and to the goalkeeper's left.
In the 71st minute, Dimitris Passalis fed a long ball that Shoki Yoshida chased down. Yoshida was able to flick a ball over the top, allowing Genus to get in on the goalkeeper alone. Dominican came back and pushed Genus in the back, forcing the ref to call a penalty kick. Genus stepped up for his own PK, burying his second of the season for his second of the game and the 2-0 lead.
Moments later, Marcus Hedemann sent a ball over the top down the right side that put Genus in on goal again. The offsides flag stayed down and Genus went to goal looking for the hat trick. He went near side and found the back of the net under the cross bar for the 3-0 lead at the 75:45 mark.
Dominican scored off a set piece in the 78th minute slamming home a loose ball in the box. A Charger was knocked down in the box off a set piece from midfield, giving Dominican their own PK opportunity with 1:45 left in the game. Konstantinos Parisis made the stop, but was called for leaving his line early, so Dominican was given another chance. Barry hit the second to make it 3-2 with 1:45 left.
The Wildcats were able to keep the ball in their offensive end of the field for the remaining time, not giving the Chargers any chance to tie the contest.
The Wildcats led in shots, 14-13, and corners taken, 3-2. Konstantinos Parisis made five saves for the win.
Wilmington will host Georgian Court for their next contest, playing at the WU Athletics Complex on Wednesday afternoon. The matchup between potentially two nationally ranked teams is set for a 3:30 p.m. start.
