Copyright 2015; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo by James Jones
NEWARK, Del. - - Senior Lance Berry buried a penalty kick in the 10th minute which proved to be the game-winner as the Wilmington University men's soccer team defeated West Chester, 1-0, in the 2015 lid lifter at the WU Athletics Complex on Thursday afternoon.
The Wildcats' (1-0) game was the nightcap of day one of the Wildcat Invitational, as the District of Columbia played Bloomfield to a 3-3 draw in the day's first game.
Berry picked up right where he left off from 2014, converting the penalty after being fouled near the end line in the right corner of the 18-yard box. He scored the final goal of the 2014 season for the Wildcats, a penalty kick in double overtime against Dominican in the CACC Tournament Semifinals.
The Wildcats outshot the Rams (0-1), 7-5, in the first half and continued to pour it on in the second half, out shooting the Rams 8-2 in the final 45 minutes. Newcomer Clifford Nwechefom led the attack with six shots, getting a number of open looks from atop the 18-yard box. Two of his shots were on frame. Fellow newcomer Morgan Shutter finished with four shots for the Wildcats, two of which were on frame as well.
Senior net minder Frank Hall recorded three saves, two of which came in the first half, to preserve the win and the shutout in the season opener. Rams' goaltender Matt Palmer held his own as well, making seven saves in the 2015 debut.
The conclusion of the Wildcat Invitational will be on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex. Bloomfield will battle West Chester in the opener at 12 p.m. before the Wildcats take on the District of Columbia at approximately 2:30 p.m.
