NEWARK, Del. - - Two early goals were too much to overcome for the Wilmington University men's soccer team as Millersville finished off the 3-1 victory in nonconference action at the WU Athletics Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
Millersville (3-3) scored in the third and 12th minutes to jump out to an early lead. The Wildcats (1-5-1) cut the deficit in half midway through the first half but couldn't get any closer as both teams were left off the scoreboard in the second half.
A turnover on a backwards pass led to the Marauders' first goal as Richy Valverde finished a cross form Mikhil Patil just 2:20 into the contest. Richy Valverde made it 2-0 in the 12th minute of play, heading in a cross from Michael Dempsey just 11:08 into the contest.
The Wildcats had a goal taken off the board but had an answer again just moments later. Michiharu Takanashi played a ball into the box from the left side. Alex Tarway "dummied" the cross, allowing Theo Faillon to bring it down and score at the far post, cutting the deficit in half, 2-1, 23:13 into the game. It was Faillon's team leading sixth goal of the year.
But as the Wildcats were attempting to tie the game, Millersville broke loose again in the 31st minute. Connecting passes down the right side ended with a cross to the far post where Tylen Thomas scored his first of the year for the 3-1 lead.
Neither team found the back of the net in the second half, despite each team hitting the post and the Wildcats forcing Millerville goalkeeper Jake Van Vorhees to make a pair of saves.
Millersville led in shots, 15-11, including shots on goal, 6-5. They also held the narrow lead in corners, 6-5. Charlie Phillips made three save in goal for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats are home one more time this week, as they cap Homecoming Saturday this weekend. They will play Felician starting at 3:30 at the WU Athletics Complex.
