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Press Release written by Mitchell Coll
NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University men's soccer team earned a vital three points in its regular season finale versus Goldey-Beacom College in a 1-0 victory at the WU Athletics Complex this Wednesday afternoon.
The win secures the fourth spot in the 2022 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament. The No. 4 seed gives the Wildcats a home match versus No. 5 Jefferson, who lost to Holy Family today 2-1.
The first half of action ended scoreless, but it did not come without chances created by the Wildcats, as the 'Cats had 13 shots and a corner in the first half. The Wildcat's first good look at goal came in the 18th minute as Yohan Kim had the ball down the right side. Kim crossed the ball into the box in the middle to find an open Pol Romero. However, Romero's header was just off the mark to the left of the goal.
Bas Markus stopped the only chance for the Lightning in the first half. The Lightning earned a free kick on the left side of the box roughly 25 yards out. Goldey-Beacom's Nick Perez attempted a shot, but Markus was in perfect position to make the save. From the save, Markus was able to connect with Malcom Young, who quickly found Marcus Hedemann to his left. Hedemann took on his defender 1v1 and got a step past him to attempt a shot on the right side. Hedemann's shot was hit well, but it hit the right post in the 32nd minute.
The Wildcats put the pressure back on 20 seconds later, still in the 32nd minute. The Wildcats won the ball quickly from a Goldey-Beacom goal kick. Zack Fantine found Tajhay Williams in the box for a header opportunity, but the Lighting's keeper put enough pressure on Williams to force the shot high. Colby Niggebrugge found himself on the end of the header attempt by Williams, but his shot was cleared off the line by the Lightning's back line.
The Wildcats continued their offensive pressure as they carried it over from the end of the first half to the beginning of the second. Marcus Hedemann again created a chance on the right side of the net, but his shot went wide to the left, this time 15 seconds into the second half.
Marius Skattum-Dahl had a great chance at goal in the 52nd minute. Zack Fantine found Skattum-Dahl making a run right-to-left, and Skattum-Dahl attempted a shot with his left foot but could not get enough on it.
In the 65th minute, Hedemann controlled the ball down the right side of the field in the Wildcat's offensive-third. Hedemann found Skattum-Dahl in the middle of the box. Skattum-Dahl dribbled away from pressure and found an unmarked Tyler Guadagno on the left side. Guadagno took care of the rest as he buried the shot first-time into the right-side netting.
The Wildcats outshot the Lightning 23 to 6. The Wildcats earned three corners in the match.
The Wildcats earn one final home game for the 2022 season, as they will welcome No. 5 Jefferson to the WU Athletics Complex on Tuesday, November 1st, at 1:00 PM in the CACC Quarterfinals. The cost of entry will be $10 for adults and $5 for children, seniors, and college students with valid school ID. Children under three years of age will be admitted for free.
