NEWARK, Del. – In their opening game of the 2019 season, the Wilmington University men's soccer team jumped out to a hot start against Millersville University in defeating the Marauders, 5-1, at the WU Athletic Complex on Thursday afternoon.

Redshirt junior Lorne Bickley gave the Wildcats (1-0) the early 1-0 lead as junior transfer Shawn Genus stole the ball from the Marauders' (0-1) keeper to give Bickley the bounce right in front of the open net. Between a two minute span around the 10^th minute, the Wildcats had four shots where they had another opportunity to score but were just shy.

It wasn't until the 20^th minute of play Abdul Mansaray crossed a ball over to the right side for Shawn Genus who was taken down inside the box by Millersville's goalkeeper to onset a penalty kick for the Wildcats. Lorne Bickley would take the kick for WilmU and score successfully on a shot in the top right corner of the net to put Wilmington in front 2-0. Millersville would only get one more shot off after the goal as the Wildcats would take their momentum into the half up, 2-0.

Wilmington was able to start the second half with an opportunity on a corner kick, but Mansaray's shot would be saved on goal. The Marauders would make it a one goal difference in the 53^rd minute though, to make it 2-1 in favor of the Wildcats.

WilmU would have two more corners before senior Fredrik Bentdal made a cross pass from the left side to Abdul Mansaray who knocked in the shot near the right post. It wasn't but a minute later that Mansaray found himself another opportunity, this time from Bickley on the left side to get it past the Marauders keeper to increase the Wildcats lead to 4-1 with 22 minutes left to play.

Lorne Bickley would give himself the hat trick just four minutes later to finish the night with three goals and one assist as the Wildcats now had a four goal lead over Millersville with under 18 to play. Abdul Mansaray finished with two goals, as Fredrik Bentdal had an assist.

WilmU had nine corner kicks throughout the contest, as well as 20 shots to the Marauders' six. Both Bickley and Mansaray missed the entire 2018 season after earning All-CACC honors in 2017.

The Wildcats are right back at the Complex on Saturday afternoon as they will take on the University of the District of Columbia at 4:30.