RINDGE, NH – The Roberts Wesleyan University Men's Soccer team drew one of the top scoring teams in the nation in the first round of the NCAA Division II Tournament and dropped a 6-2 decision Friday night to bring an end to one of the most successful seasons in men's soccer history at Roberts.
The Redhawks (10-3-7) cut the lead to 2-1 in the 29th minute as junior Archie Murphy added to his high-scoring season with his 14th goal of the year as he controlled a loose ball at the top of the box and ripped a shot into the lower corner.
The goal came after Wilmington (12-3-5) had scored twice in the first 22 minutes of the game including the opening goal just five minutes into the game and a penalty kick goal at the 21:26 mark of the period.
The Wildcats were ranked in the top 10 in team scoring all season and had just more than 2.5 goals per game.
Wilmington added a goal late in the first half to take a 3-1 lead into the halftime intermission.
Less than five minutes into the second half, Wilmington extended the lead to 4-1.
A long shot from nearly 30 yards out into the upper corner of the goal made it a 5-1 lead for the Wildcats in the 56th minute of the game.
With less than 20 minutes remaining in the game, Wilmington scored its sixth goal of the game.
Junior Ewen O'Dwyer-Hall took advantage of a poor clearing attempt by the Wildcats goalie and scored from 10 yards out for the final goal of the game.
Wilmington advances to face Franklin Pierce Sunday in the second round of the tournament.