BLOOMFIELD, N.J. - - A pair of second half goals, including the first career goal as a member of the Wilmington University men's soccer team by Tim Bailey, propelled the Wildcats to a much needed 2-0 victory over Bloomfield in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference road contest on Saturday at Foley Field.
With the top two teams in the CACC playing in a showdown on Sunday, the Wildcats (9-3-1, 5-2-1 CACC) picked valuable points to join Philadelphia with 16 points in second place. Post leads with 21 points and Philadelphia has 16 points through seven games in the CACC. The two CACC leaders play tomorrow at 3:30 at Post.
Following a scoreless first half, Bailey put the Wildcats on the board in the 77th minute with his first goal as a Wildcat after coming to Wilmington following three seasons at USC Upstate. Bailey was in the right place at the right time, as Otis Williams' initial shot five second prior was saved by Bloomfield goalkeeper Arthur Clapot, but the rebound bounced right to Bailey. The graduate student buried the rebound to put the Wildcats ahead at the 76:37 mark of the match.
The supreme combination of Elton Joe and Tommy Quaranta was at it again later in the second half, as the duo connected for the insurance goal in the 85th minute. After a pair of saves in the 82nd minute by Wilmington goalkeeper Spyros Stergiotis, the Wildcats moved the ball downfield and capitalized moments later.
Joe received the ball from Quaranta and connected for his 11th goal of the season, putting the Wildcats ahead, 2-0, at the 84:36 mark of the second half. The assist was Quaranta's fifth as he moved into third place in the CACC with 19 points. Joe leads all CACC members with 28 points.
Wilmington was able to outshoot Bloomfield, 13-12, while also earning one more corner, 5-4, for the match. Each goalkeeper recorded seven saves for their respective teams. Stergiotis picked up his second win of the season while producing his first lone shutout on the year.
Wilmington has a pair of home games next week, first against crosstown rival Goldey-Beacom on Wednesday at the WU Athletics Complex. The Wildcats will then host Dominican on Saturday for Senior Day. Wednesday's match is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m.
