(MADISON, N.J.) – Move over Michael Jackson. It's the Wilson men's soccer team who provided the thriller night as it defeated St. Elizabeth in overtime in the first round of the United East Championship.
Andrew Bailey (So., Mount Airy, Md. / Linganore) delivered the final score (or scare?) with a free kick in extra time to send the Phoenix fans screaming for joy as darkness fell across the FDU Field.
The Basics
Score: No. 12 Wilson 3, No. 5 St. Elizabeth 2 (OT)
Venue: Robert T. Shields Field
Records: Wilson 7-11-0, St. Elizabeth 9-7-0
How It Happened
- Regulation was a tale of two halves as Wilson excelled in the first half while the hosting Eagles returned the favor in the second. The Phoenix showed they came ready to play with a shot from Eric Arbogast (So., Duncansville, Pa. / Hollidaysburg) 53 seconds in. Persistence finally paid off as the second 30 started. After shots by Jorge Cortez (Sr., Columbia, Tenn. / Spring Hill) and Brian Mulholland (Jr., Oracle, Ariz. / Canyon del Oro), Bryson Curtis (So., Fairfax, Va. / Oakton) broke through with a goal in the 33rd minute. After an Eagles defender attempted to play the ball back to the goalie, Curtis was able to get to the ball first and flick it inside the right post.
- Eight minutes later the Phoenix added to their lead after they were awarded a penalty kick after a foul was called inside the box. Bailey was picked to do the honors and sent Wilson into the halftime break with momentum on its side.
- St. Elizabeth put the pressure on Wilson early in the second as it generated multiple opportunities on corner kicks. The Eagles eventually scored on the fourth of those set pieces as Almir Mata found Brandon Quishpi in the 57th minute.
- With under 15 minutes to go, the Eagles scored the equalizer. This time Quishpi hit a long pass up the middle of the field and found Sebastian Londono who split the Wilson back line. After getting the pass under control he went to the right side to force overtime.
- With fewer than 30 seconds remaining in the first overtime period, Wilson found an opening that resulted in a breakaway. Omar Cortez (FY, Columbia, Tenn. / Spring Hill) sent up the pass from the defensive side of the field and 40 yards away Curtis was able to get control in the middle of the field racing towards the goal. He was fouled just outside the top of the box which resulted in a red card for the Eagles and left the Phoenix with a free kick. Bailey was able to curve it around the Eagles five-man wall and bullseye the top right 90 for the game winner.
Inside The Numbers
- Shots were fairly balanced with Wilson holding a 14-10 edge in overall chances. Shots on goal were more even with the Phoenix also holding a 6-4 edge. In the first half Wilson outshot St. E's 10-3, but the Eagles bounced back with a 7-2 advantage in the second.
- The Eagles faired well generating set pieces and led 12-2 in corner kicks. Eight of them came in the second half. One was in overtime, but the Phoenix prevented a shot to be taken.
- Bailey's goals give him three on the season. He's 2-for-2 on penalty kicks this season.
- The win is Wilson's first postseason victory in program history. While the Phoenix advanced to the CSAC Championship final in 2018, it was on penalty kicks in a game that ended in a draw.
- The win also gives the Phoenix the most wins in a single season in program history.
Up Next
Wilson now advances to the quarterfinals where it will take on No. 4 Penn State Harrisburg on Saturday. A kickoff time has yet to be announced.
