Malthe Hannesbo and Pol Romero Each Score Twice as Men’s Soccer Defeats Dominican, 5-2

File photo of Malthe Hannesbo who scored twice on Saturday against Dominican. Wilmington University’s Malthe Hannesbo(26) controls the ball while Caldwell University’s Andre Vieira(7) pursues during their NCAA Mens soccer match at the Wilmington University Sports complex in Newark, Delaware, September 11, 2022. Photo By Elizabeth Birckhead.
File photo of Malthe Hannesbo who scored twice on Saturday against Dominican. Wilmington University’s Malthe Hannesbo(26) controls the ball while Caldwell University’s Andre Vieira(7) pursues during their NCAA Mens soccer match at the Wilmington University Sports complex in Newark, Delaware, September 11, 2022. Photo By Elizabeth Birckhead.

Press Release Written by Mitchell Coll

NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University men's soccer team earned their third straight victory this Saturday afternoon in a 5-2 win over Dominican University in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference matchup at the WU Athletics Complex.

The Wildcats (4-2-2, 3-0 CACC) had a good look at goal three minutes into the match with a Ryuga Uchigashima header that went wide to the right. In the sixth minute, the Wildcats made sure to capitalize on the next opportunity. Richard Thompson had a set piece chance on the left of the 18-yard box. Thompson whipped in a ball with his right foot that found the head of Malthe Hannesbo. Hannesbo scored his first goal as a Wildcat and the first of the game.

The Wildcats kept the pressure on the offensive third, as they accumulated 11 shots after their first goal up to the 30th-minute mark. Marcus Hedemann had a great look at goal in the 21st minute after Tajhay Williams intercepted a ball from the back line. Hedemann located the ball well with his left foot, but it was matched by a great effort by the Dominican's keeper to keep it out of the net.

The Wildcats' next best chance at putting another goal on the scoreboard came in the 43rd minute, where Pol Romero was able to ensure it happened. The Wildcats won possession off a Dominican's goal kick. Deshawn Bernard and Malcom Young quickly connected to find Romero, who was making his run right to left into the box. Romero placed the ball past the keeper and the defender fist-time with his left foot to put the 'Cats up 2-0 going into the half.

In the second half, the Wildcats scored the first goal of the half. Marius Skattum Dahl had the ball down the right side and saw Tajhay Williams making a run into the box. Williams beat his defender to the ball to score goal number three for the 'Cats in the 57th minute.

Dominican would not go down easy as they scored two goals in five minutes. First, the Chargers earned a free kick from a Wilmington foul about 40 yards out. The ball bounced in the box twice to find Dominican's Luis Guevara, unmarked for the tap-in goal in the 73rd minute. The Charger's second goal came again from Luis Guevara as he found himself in the right place at the right time. Guevara finished an opportunity off an initial save by Yvan Moundou. He was able to tap in the rebound into an empty net. The Chargers found themselves only down one goal with 12 minutes left.

In the 85th minute, Marius Skattum Dahl collected his second assist after finding Pol Romero, who only had one defender to beat. Romero scored his second of the day by cutting in with his left foot and finished with his right to put the 'Cats up 4-2 with five minutes left.

Malthe Hannesbo added the insurance goal with 30 seconds left in the match. Dominican had everyone up in the offensive third, but the ball was cleared, leaving Hannesbo alone with Dominican's keeper. Hannesbo poked the ball past the keeper, who was off his line, then put the ball in the back of the empty net.

The Wildcats outshot the Chargers 28-12 in the match and earned ten corners. The Wildcats will be back at home for Homecoming on Saturday, September 24th, when they welcome the Post University Eagles. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM.