NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University men's soccer team picked up a crucial Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory on Wednesday, battling back to defeat Jefferson, 3-2, at the WU Athletics Complex.

With four conference games remaining, the Wildcats (3-7-2, 3-3-1 CACC) picked up with 10^th point in the standings, rejoining the top seven teams who are all in double digits. The second place Post Eagles have 14 points in the standings, with the Wildcats climbing back into the race.

On Wednesday, the Wildcats found themselves down early after a miscue in the box led to an empty netter just five minutes into the game. The Wildcats settled in and started to play, leading the Rams in shots, 10-4, in the first half, putting four shots on frame. But the Rams went into the halftime break leading 1-0.

The Wildcats continued to take it to Jefferson to start the second half, resulting in a goal in the 55^th minute. Off a restart, Tsubasa Abe played a low cross into the box. Jhamaleek Porter was there to one-time the ball past John Nelson for his fourth goal of the year and the 1-1 tie.

Another foul had the Wildcats with a restart in the attacking third of the field and this time the cross into the box bounced up and hit a Rams' defender in the hand, resulting in a penalty kick for the Wildcats. Theo Faillon's initial attempt was stopped by Nelson, by Faillon stayed with the rebound and knocked it in to give the Wildcats the 2-1 lead 55:34 into the match. It was Faillon's CACC leading 11^th goal of the season.

Six minutes later, the Rams were able to stay onsides on one of their attacks, getting in behind the back line. Diego Guzman was wide open on the back post with an empty net in front of him, as he tapped in his second goal of the game to tie the match against, 2-2, in the 62^nd minute.

The Wildcats have three consecutive shots saved by Nelson, but the attack kept putting the pressure on the Rams. Michiharu Takanaski broke through again for the Wildcats in the 87^th minute, finding the corner of the goal on a low shot from atop the 18-yard box 86:01 into the match.

The Rams had one final push in the final minute, using a corner to get a header that hit the side of the goal frame.

The Wildcats outshot the Rams, 26-10, for the match despite the Rams earning more corners, 5-4. Charlie Phillips made five saves for the Wildcats for his third win of the season.

The Wildcats hit the road for the next two games, starting with another important CACC matchup at Bloomfield on Saturday. The opening kick-off is set for 2:30 p.m.