NEWARK, Del. – In a rematch of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship last year, the Wilmington University men's soccer team tied with Post, 1-1 after two overtimes on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
It was a slow start to the anticipated heated rivalry matchup, as Wilmington (8-1-1, 3-1-1) got off only five shots in the first half, while Post (5-1-2, 3-0-1 CACC) had two.
The Wildcats had an opportunity to take a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute of play, as Mamadou Diombera had a break away from the Eagles defense, before crossing it over to Fredrik Bentdal on the left side who put a shot just wide of the right post.
Diombera had another chance 10 minutes later off a cross that hit off the Eagles keeper, before Hakim Williams had a chance at the top of the box, but was blocked. WilmU would try again with five minutes left in the first half but could not connect off a corner kick as both teams were scoreless heading into halftime.
Post would get the first two opportunities on goal in the second half, before a Wildcat turnover in front of the net gave the Eagles' player a chance one-on-one to score the first goal of the game. Now with a 1-0 game, the Wildcats answered back two minutes later off a corner kick from Fredrik Bentdal. Joe Bell headed it toward Lorne Bickley on the left post who finished it off with the one-time volley and tie the game at 1-1 with about 30 minutes left to play in regulation.
Both teams would get two more shots off within the rest of the half, but neither team could connect, forcing overtime. Abdul Mansaray would put up two chances for the Wildcats in overtime number one, but fall just short, as the Eagles played a ball in the box with under a minute left to beat the Wildcat defenders, but the ball went just past the far right post to keep it scoreless heading into the second overtime.
Lorne Bickley netted his 14th goal of the season, as Fredrik Bentdal and Joe Bell connected on the assist. Abdul Mansaray has five shots for the Wildcats, while Shawn Genus and Fredrik Bentdal had two shots. Gabriel Prgomet made three saves in goal.
Wilmington will have their final nonconference game of the season on Wednesday, as Staten Island comes to the Complex for a 3:30 p.m. matchup.
