NEWARK, Del. - - The District of Columbia scored a pair of goals less than three minutes apart in the second half to claim a 2-0 victory over the Wilmington University men's soccer team to wrap up the Wildcat Invite on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (0-1-1) struggled to get in a rhythm offensively all afternoon, but used a flurry of shot late to narrow the margin, 10-9, for the game. The Firebirds (1-1) held an 8-2 advantage in shots throughout the first half, forcing Wildcat goalkeeper Vinny Tasca to come up with five saves to keep the game scoreless.
Following a pair of shots by the Wildcats early in the second half, the Firebirds countered and quickly covered the length of the field. Moving down the middle, Gabriel Velluto got the ball ahead to Gabriel Torres. Torres flicked in on over the top to Raphael Pacano who found himself alone with Tasca in the box. Pacano buried his first goal of the season 55:37 into the match.
Moments later, the Firebirds were on the attack again as Torres was buried deep in the left corner. He got a left footed cross off, finding a wide-open Kevin Ortez on the six-yard box for a one-time goal. The Firebirds led, 2-0, 58:10 into the match.
The Wildcats posted the last five shots of the contest following the Firebirds' second goal, but they couldn't solve Joao Brusamolin and find the back of the net. Five of the team's nine shots were on frame.
The Firebird had the pressure on the Wildcats the entire first half, showcased by the 10-1 advantage on corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes. Tasca made five saves for the Wildcats while Brusamolin made five second half stops for the Firebirds for the shutout.
The Wildcats remain at home for their next contest, as they host West Chester on Wednesday at the WU Athletics Complex with a 4:00 p.m. opening whistle.
