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Press Release written by Mitchell Coll
NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University men's soccer team held off the Bloomfield Bears in a 1-0 victory in a rainy Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference matchup at the WU Athletics Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The game opened with both sides getting comfortable with the wet conditions. The Wildcats earned a corner in the third minute of action, which was their first real opportunity, but the Bear's defense quickly cleared it out. The Wildcats first shot was recorded in the ninth minute as Yohan Kim found Marcus Hedemann over the top. Hedemann caught the ball back to his first foot, but the Bears defender got a foot in on the shot to minimize the threat.
In the 23rd minute, the Wildcats started their possession in their defensive third. Deshawn Bernard played a beautiful long ball over the top to find Marius Skattum Dahl. Skattum Dahl was able to take one touch past Bloomfield's keeper, but in the process, the keeper took down Skattum Dahl in the box, earning the Wildcats a penalty kick. Skattum Dahl earned the foul and stepped up to convert the penalty kick to put the Wildcats up, 1-0, with his third goal of the year.
Skattum Dahl had the next best chance for the Wildcats in the 29th minute as Max Norden crossed a ball from the left side of the field. Norden's cross eventually found Yohan Kim, but Kim's shot was blocked. The ball then found Ryuga Uchigashima's feet, who crossed the ball back in; however, his cross was deflected but found the left foot of Skattum Dahl. Skattum Dahl got all of the ball with his left foot. The shot seemed destined for the top corner, but it was matched by an even better save from Bloomfield's keeper.
In the second half, the Bloomfield Bears had the first opportunity of the half with a shot in the 49th minute. The Bears strung a couple of passes together down the right side of the field. It led to a shot about 15 yards out. Bas Markus was able to handle the low shot to register the save and keep the Bears off the scoreboard.
In the 72nd minute, Ryuga Uchigashima had a chance at goal, as Richard Thompson, Marius Skattum Dahl, and Tajhay Williams were all able to connect on passes together to find Uchigashima. Uchigashima received the ball on the left side of the 18-yard box, caught back with his right, and fired a shot, but it was right at the Bloomfield's keeper.
In the 77th minute, Marcus Hedemann had the ball on the right side of the field, found Richard Thompson in the middle of the field, and Thompson found Mads-Emil Roestbjaerg on the left side of the 18-yard box. It seemed as if Roestbjaerg was going to cross the ball with his left, but the ball was heading to the top left corner of the net; however, Bloomfield's keeper reacted quickly enough to keep the ball out of the net.
The Wildcat's last best chance at an insurance goal came in the 80th minute with back-to-back shots by Kim and Roestbjaerg. Roestbjaerg again had the ball on the left side, finding Hedemann in the box, who one-touched passed to Kim. Kim attempted a shot on his first touch, but a diving save from Bloomfield's keeper. The deflection of the save initially went right back to Kim, who decided to pass it out to Roestbjaerg, who then attempted a shot, but his attempt was saved.
The Wildcats have a quick turnaround as they will travel to Georgian Court University on Tuesday, October 4, to take on the Lions at 3:00 PM.