NEWARK, Del. - - A goal in the 88^th minute sank the Wilmington University men's soccer team in the 2024 season opener as Adelphi came back to win, 2-1, on Thursday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.

Lenny Greifenberg scored in his first official game as a Wildcat (0-1), but the Panthers (1-0) came back to score a pair of second half goals to win the season opener. The Panthers outshot the Wildcats, 13-9, for the game, including 8-4 in the second half alone.

Adelphi had chances to open the scoring in the first half, but the final line of Charlie Phillips came up big in goal for the Wildcats. The Wildcats' first chance came in the 13^th minute as Takanashi Michiharu had a chance in close before the rebound by Greifenberg was sent wide. But Greifenberg would get another chance moments later, blasting a shot from 19 yards out from the right side inside the near post in the 17^th minute. Theo Faillon one-timed the ball to Greifenberg for the assist.

Charlie Phillips came up big as the last line of defense again in the 36^th and 38^th minutes, keeping the Panthers off the board and sending the Wildcats into the break with a 1-0 lead. He made three saves in the first half.

But Phillips and the Wildcats couldn't stop Pablo Herrera in the second half, he was sent in on the right side less than 10 minutes into the start of the second half. His first goal tied the game in the 55^th minute.

Theo Faillon had the best chance for the Wildcats late in the second half, turning around and hitting a low left-footed shot to the corner in the 83^rd minute, but Santiago Arango reached out with his right hand to make the save and keep it 1-1.

Victor Castel did the bulk of the heavy lifting in the 88^th minute to lead to the game-winning goal, making a run down the left side and then cutting in back towards the middle. He then laid it off on the right side, finding Herrera alone once again. Herrera scored his second of the game with 2:12 to play, giving the visitors the 2-1 victory.

Charlie Phillips made seven saves in total, keeping the Wildcats in the game.

The Wildcats are home again on Saturday, as they face American International to complete the opening weekend of play. The opening kick-off is set for 4:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.