CALDWELL, N.J. - - A goal in the 81st minute tripped up the 21st ranked Wilmington University men's soccer team at Caldwell, as the Cougars won, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon at the Caldwell Athletics Field.
The loss has the Wildcats at 7-2-4 overall and 2-2-3 in CACC play. They are currently in fifth place in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference standings with nine points with three conference games remaining in the regular season.
Caldwell had a great opportunity to get on the board first in the 27th minute, after a handball in the box was called on the Wildcats. But Emil Lollike dove low and to his right, saving the kick from the spot and keeping the game scoreless.
The Cougars would end up getting on the board first, however, scoring in the 33rd minute. As the last line of defense, Emil Lollike couldn't get to the ball out of his box. Hakon Rake knocked it past Lollike and then fought to gain control of the ball. He then scored from distance in the open net for the 1-0 lead.
Tyrese Small, Michiharu Takanashi, and The Faillon all had chances after the goal in the first half, but two were saved, one was blocked, and one was wide as the Wildcats went into the break trailing, 1-0.
The Wildcats quickly tied it up early in the second half though, as the CACC leader in goals Theo Faillon scored his 10th of the year in the 49th minute.
In the 81st minute, Caldwell took a throw-in in their own half, hit a long ball down the center of the field, and flicked it on with a header. That sprung Hugo Thell in on goal and he converted the opportunity for the 2-1 late lead.
The Wildcats had two shots down the stretch, but the first by Tyrese Small was blocked, and the final shot from Faillon went wide in the 88th minute.
The Wildcats led in shots, 18-7, including shots on goal, 8-5. They also took more corners, 9-3. Emil Lollike made three saves in goal for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats have a midweek bye and return to action next Sunday at Felician. The opening kick is set for 3:00 p.m. in Rutherford, New Jersey.