(MEDIA, Pa.) – Wilson wrapped up its non-conference portion of the schedule with a trip to Penn State-Brandywine on a rainy Saturday afternoon. While the Phoenix scored first, the Nittany Lions eventually tied the game and scored a second goal late to take the win.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 1, Penn State-Brandywine 2
Venue: Brandywine Field
Records: Wilson 2-8-1, Penn State-Brandywine 7-3-2
How It Happened
- Wilson had a couple of good chances early as Jace Williams (FY, Chesapeake, Va. / Hickory) had two shots saved by the Lions' keeper. The first came just 25 seconds into the game while the next one was off a free kick in the 20th minute that was also saved.
- Two minutes later the Phoenix were awarded another free kick from approximately the same spot and made it count. Eric Arbogast (FY, Duncansville, Pa. / Hollidaysburg) did the honors with a perfectly placed ball to the six-yard box and Jorge Cortez (Jr., Columbia, Tenn. / Spring Hill) was able to flick it in with a header inside the right post.
- Brandywine was able to answer eight minutes later. Deep in the Phoenix zone, Chris Manful was able to send a quick centering pass to the middle of the box where Ali Abdelhady was waiting and find the back of the net. Both teams remained tied through the halftime break.
- Teams combined for seven shots in the first 18 minutes of the first half, but none were able to cross the goal line. Williams had the only shot on goal for the Phoenix during that time in the 59th minute, while both Vincent Natale (So., Mt. Airy, Md. / Linganore) and Gerson Navarro (FY, Manassas Park, Va. / Manassas Park) made a save to shortly before to keep the game tied.
- Brandywine eventually scored the go-ahead goal in the 81st minute. Chris Manful took an odd angle cross near the end line on the right side and Omar Simpson was able to chase it down and head it inside the far post. Wilson was only able to get one shot off the rest of the way, but Landon Howe's (FY, Martinsburg, W.Va. / St. Maria Goretti) take was blocked with 88 seconds to go.
Inside The Numbers
- Cortez's goal was the first points of any kind in his collegiate career.
- Brandywine led the shot count by a 16-11 margin. Shots on goal were relatively more even with the Nittany Lions also leading that category 7-5.
- Natale made three saves before leaving the game with an injury. Navarro replaced him and made two stops to help keep the Blue and White in contention.
Up Next
A couple of home games line this week's slate for the Phoenix. First up is last year's CSAC champion Rosemont. The Ravens will visit Kris's Meadow on Wednesday with kickoff set for 4 p.m.
