News Release
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Erin Harvey,
Sports Information Director
320 DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE
19720-6491
302-356-6755
erin.t.harvey@wilmu.edu
# 23 Wilmington Holds Off Philadelphia, 4-3 in Men's Soccer
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - New Castle, DE
Sargbah Tarpeh
The 23rd ranked Wildcats of Wilmington University held off a strong effort from the visiting Rams of Philadelphia University, and came away with the 4-3 victory in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) men’s soccer action on Wednesday afternoon at the Kirkwood Complex. The win helped the ‘Cats unbeaten streak stretch to ten games.
Wilmington struck early, as senior forward Sargbah Tarpeh took a feed from junior Chris Simm, and took on the keeper. Tarpeh deposited the ball in the back of the net just forty seconds in, and gave the ‘Cats the quick 1-0 lead. The Rams tied the game at one during the 18th minute when Sean Crossland took a through ball in the 18 yard box and scored. The Wildcats got back on top during the 36th minute as junior Jorge Zapata connected on a through ball from Tarpeh. Sophomore Nickalus McDonald scored just three minutes later to make it 3-1 in favor of the green and white, when he finished a pass from Tarpeh.
The Wildcats struck first in the second half, as Tarpeh received a through ball from McDonald, and beat the keeper for his second goal of the game. Philadelphia started a charge shortly thereafter, and cut the lead to 4-2 when Travis Lobb took a chest ball from Ryan Purnell and found the back of the net at the 53 minute mark. Just four minutes later, Kristoffer Perez scored off another assist from Purnell (his third of the game), and trimmed the deficit to 4-3. Wilmington held on over the last thirty minutes, and came away with the important conference victory.
Duhan Malali (9-0) recorded six saves in goal for Wilmington, while Buddy Custer notched two saves for Philadelphia, The Rams outshot the Wildcats by a 16-10 margin, but the ‘Cats held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks. Wilmington returns to the pitch on Saturday afternoon, when they play host to the 10th ranked Chargers of Dominican College, the top team in the East Region, in a CACC contest beginning at 2:00 PM.