NEWARK, Del. - - Missed opportunities was unfortunately the phrase of the day for the Wilmington University men's soccer team in a close 2-1 loss to Gannon on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.

The Wildcats (1-1-2) outshot the Knights (4-0-0), 26-8, including 19-7 in the second half. After falling behind in the eighth minute, the Wildcats worked hard and had many scoring chances, eventually tying the game in the 80^th minute. But Gannon bounced right back and scored the game-winner in the 83^rd minute to steal one from the Wildcats.

Gannon's James Pool found himself alone on the back post in the eighth minute, heading in a cross from Herman Aanberg. The Wildcats had chances shortly after the goal, as Ryuga Uchigashima's knuckling shot was saved by a diving Samuel Alarcon in the ninth minute and Sora Noda's breakaway in the 16^th minute went wide.

The second half started with a number of corner kick opportunities for the Wildcats, the best coming off the foot of Max Norden. His blast in the 50^th minute was saved, giving the Wildcats a third consecutive corner. A Bas Markus save led to a counter by the Wildcats, with Ryuga Uchigashima into the box. His pass to the back post was taken away. Moments later, Sora Noda beat the Knight goalkeeper to the ball in the box, tipped it past the netminder, but a Knight defender came to rescue and cleared the ball off the line. Troy Paul made Alarcon go diving for another save off a left-footed blast in the 60^th minute, but again the keeper was up to the task.

Troy Paul had another great opportunity in the 62^nd minute, as Malthe Hannesbo raced down a loose ball into the corner. A fancy spin move on the endline allowed him to break free and find Paul at the near post. His one-time redirection hit the underside of the crossbar but stayed out, as the Wildcats were still looking for the goal.

Troy Paul would finally get one in the 80^th minute, as Jeremie Briquet laid a ball back from the end line to the middle of the goal mouth. Paul was able to redirect the pass past Alarcon and the Knights to tie things up with his first goal of the year, 1-1.

But the celebration didn't last long, as the Knights stepped up the pressure on the offensive end. A turnover at midfield led to a through ball down the middle, finding Samuel Burton who slid it under Markus in the 83^rd minute.

Malthe Hannesbo had one final chance in the 89^th minute, getting a head on a dangerous cross from Briquet, but Alarcon was in position again to make the save. Alarcon made seven saves on the afternoon.

The Wildcats are on the road for their next two contests, including opening Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play at rival Post next Saturday. The opening whistle is set for 2:30 p.m. in Waterbury, Connecticut.