(BRYN ATHYN, Pa.) – Two early second half goals held up as Wilson defeated Bryn Athyn for its first United East conference win on a bright, warm Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix found the back of the net just two minutes after halftime and added another seven minutes later to take down the Lions on their home turf.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 2, Bryn Athyn 1
Venue: Nelson Field
Records: Wilson 5-7-0, 1-2-0 UE; Bryn Athyn 1-7-1, 0-3-0 UE
How It Happened
- The first half was largely a defensive one with only seven combined shots between the two teams. Bryn Athyn had three of them and required the services of Gerson Navarro (So., Manassas Park, Va. / Manassas Park) to keep the game scoreless in the opening period.
- After the break, things quickly changed in favor of the Blue and White with a throw in deep in Lions' territory. Omar Cortez (FY, Columbia, Tenn. / Sprin Hill) was able to get length on the insert and Jace Williams (So., Chesapeake, Va. / Hickory) was able to receive aricochet off a Bryn Athyn defender and put it in the back of the net.
- Not too long after the Phoenix found themselves driving once again and received a foul in the box which resulted in a penalty kick. Andrew Bailey (So., Mount Airy, Md. / Linganore) did the honors and was true on the kick for a 2-0 lead with 36:26 left in regulation.
- Midway through the second Bryn Athyn received a penalty kick of its own after Wilson was charged for a foul in the box in an attempt to defend a free kick en route to the net. Nathan Scavo converted the penalty to cut the deficit in half with 24:57 to go.
- Wilson's back line did well to limit the Lions' chances there on out. The hosts only got off three shots the rest of the way with Scavo getting the only one of those on goal. Navarro made the stop on that while the other two takes were wide left.
Inside The Numbers
- Williams' goal gives him two on the season.
- Bailey, a defender, scored the first goal of his career.
- Wilson doubled up Bryn Athyn on the shot count by a 16-8 margin. Shots on goal were much closer with the Phoenix on the positive end of an 8-5 difference.
- The Phoenix kept the pressure on the Lions throughout the day and led 11-3 in corner kicks.
- Navarro finished the day with four saves.
- Wilson leads the all-time series with Bryn Athyn 7-2.
- The five wins are the most since 2017 and just one shy of the program record. The team was established in 2015 and are in its ninth season of competition.
Up Next
Wilson will host Keystone as part of a men's and women's doubleheader. The Tuesday twin bill will kickoff at 4:30 p.m.
