(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The book officially closed on the 2023 season for the Wilson men's soccer team as it fell to Cairn on Wednesday afternoon. The Phoenix didn't go down easily and took an early lead against the Highlanders, who haven't lost a conference game since 2001, but the visitors were able to answer with a pair of goals to secure the win.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 1, Cairn 2
Venue: Kris's Meadow
Records: Wilson 3-11-1, 1-4-3 Skye; Cairn 8-5-4, 6-0-2 Skye
How It Happened
- Cairn looked to set the tone early and attacked the net with four shots in the first 12 minutes. Jesse Brittain and Moses Beers each had a shot on goal during that time with Gerson Navarro (FY, Manassas Park, Va. / Manassas Park) making the stop on both occasions.
- Wilson's first attempt on its offensive end was a good one as Ethan Locklear (FY, White Marsh, Md. / Sparrows Point) connected with Luis Jimenez (FY, Carabobo, Venezuela / Taylor Allderdice) for the game's first goal. Locklear had a breakaway up the right side of the field before spotting Jimenez wide open on the back post. After a long pass from 40 yards away, Jimenez's header had just enough zest on it to slip by the Highlanders' goalkeeper in the lower left 90 in the 19th minute.
- The Highlanders pulled even eight minutes later as Brittain and Moses connected for the equalizer. Brittain was able to come in from the left side near the end line before centering to Beers who flicked it just inside the right post.
- A set piece provided the Highlanders with the go-ahead goal. With a corner kick coming from the left side, Chase Segool sent the ball to the center of the box where Aaron Campbell was able to add the extra pass to Beers on the far post for the score just over 10 minutes before halftime.
- Wilson had an excellent opportunity to equalize early in the second half as the Highlanders defense were caught out of position. The play resulted with Brian Mulholland (So., Oracle, Ariz. / Canyon del Oro) having possession in front of the right post, but his shot was stopped on a miraculous save from Cairn keeper Xander Jakeway.
Inside The Numbers
- Cairn led the shot count 24-10 with an 11-6 advantage in shots on goal. Corner kicks also favored the visitors by a 7-3 margin.
- Navarro may have suffered the loss, but he was remarkable in defeat with nine saves for a season high.
- Jimenez's goal capped off a fantastic end-of-the-year stretch for the defender turned forward with goals scored in the last four games. He finishes the year with 11 points on four goals and three assists.
- Locklear's helper was his first of the season and gave him five points for the season.
- Wilson ends its best season defensively as the Blue and White allowed only 28 goals for an average of 1.65 per game. The previous mark was 29 and 1.71 set by the 2018 squad.
