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Sixth Seeded Post Upsets Third Seeded Wilmington Men’s Soccer, 1-0, in CACC Tournament Quarterfinals

Copyright 2017; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo of Abdul Mansaray against Post, taken by James Jones.
Copyright 2017; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo of Abdul Mansaray against Post, taken by James Jones.

NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University men's soccer team couldn't overcome an early deficit in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Quarterfinal as sixth seeded Post took down the third seeded Wildcats, 1-0, on Monday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.

The loss ends the season for the Wildcats (10-6-3) while the Eagles (8-8) move on to play second seeded Goldey-Beacom in the CACC Tournament Semifinals on Friday on the campus of Georgian Court University.

A misclear on the back line allowed the Eagles' Kenu Walker to slip into the box on the right side with only Wilmington netminder Vinny Tasca in front of him. Walker slid a shot to the far post, tucking it just inside the post for the 1-0 lead just 14:17 into the contest.

The Wildcats would go on to outshoot the Eagles, 5-1, the rest of the first half, but couldn't find the back of the net. Ben Jordan found himself with a great opportunity in the 29th minute, getting on the end of a free kick but his header from in close went left of the goal.

The second half was more of the same for the Wildcats, as they continued to press to tie the match. The Wildcats outshot the Eagles, 4-1, in the first 25 minutes of the second half, having two chanced blocked in front while forcing Post goalkeeper Giovanni Riello to make one save.

The Wildcats' chances rose again in the 72nd minute, as a Post foul behind the play resulted in a red card and an 11-on-10 advantage for the Wildcats for the final 18 minutes. Fredrik Bentdal's ensuing free kick from just outside the 18-yard box was blocked at the wall and Sam Jester's second chance was pushed just wide as well.

Scrambling in the box, Lorne Bickley found himself with the ball and the goalkeeper out of position. His shot was headed for the back of the net in the 78th minute, but an Eagles' defender stepped in front and saved it off the line.

Coming in off the bench to start the second half, Dimitrios Topouzlis was a spark for the Wildcats getting two shots off late in the match. But his first shot in the 86th minute was just high off the mark while his second redirected half volley in the 89th minute needed to be saved by Riello.

The Wildcats outshot the Eagles, 19-3, in the match, including a 12-1 advantage in the second half. Riello made four saves for the shutout while Tasca recorded one save for the Wildcats.

The third seeded Wildcats finish the season 10-6-3 overall, going 9-3 in the CACC during the regular season for a third place finish.