WILMINGTON, NC— Opportunities were there, but the Winthrop men's soccer could not break through for a goal in a 1-0 loss at #24 UNC Wilmington in the final game of the Courtyard by Marriot/UNCW Classic, Sunday afternoon.
Winthrop allowed a goal in the 23rd minute after a poor clear by the defense off a free kick. The free kick deflected in the direct of Christian Davidson by a Winthrop defender and his shot hit the post and flew out past the 18-yard box. The ball came right to Tyler Wheaton running on to it and his one touch shot zipped through a number of players and into the near post for the goal.
“I was disappointed to come away with a loss as I expected to win two games this weekend,” said head coach Rich Posipanko. “However, I was very pleased with the way we played the second half today. UNCW is a veteran team that is very well coached and organized. I thought we grew a lot this weekend as a team and if we can somehow continue to play the way we did in the second half today, we have a chance to be a good team as the season goes on.”
UNCW (3-1) had the better of the first half and Winthrop dodged a couple of bullets with a couple of good chances squandered by the Seahawks to keep it a one goal game at the break. One of the best chances for UNCW came off the foot of Devan Carroll, who was wide open just inside the 18-yard box and after a touch his shot was ripped wide of the post.
The momentum completely shifted in favor of the Eagles in the second half as they seemed to constantly apply pressure, but the first 20 minutes couldn't connect on the final pass to create real scoring opportunities. In the 66th minute, Andres Pullin's cross came right in front of the net to Miquel Casajuana for Winthrop's best chance of the match, but the shot was blocked away by a Seahawk defender for a corner kick. Immediately following the corner kick, Pullin collected the long corner kick and cut back toward the middle of the field. Pullin found some open space and ripped a left footed shot over UNCW keeper Brock Duckworth, but the shot hit the crossbar and bounced out past the 18-yard box for the defense to clear the ball out.
It was Pullin again creating a scoring chance in the 74th minute as he worked his way down the sideline and served a ball into the box that hit Tomas Brennan right on the head six yards out, but the header went right at Duckworth for one of his three saves.
Likely the best opportunity came with under nine minutes to go when Ted Bartels was open at the back post off a cross from Josh Mort, but the ball sailed off his foot and went over the crossbar.
Pullin was named the Offensive MVP of the classic and was joined on the All-Classic Team by Brennan and Bartels.
Winthrop will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 15 as it heads to Johnson City, TN to take on East Tennessee State. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
All-Tournament Team:
Nik Conklin (LIU), Steve Jakubowski (LIU), Warren Creaville (UCF), Nicholas Meown-Robson (UCF), Andres Pullin (Winthrop), Ted Bartels (Winthrop), Tomas Brennan (Winthrop), Indy Smith (UNCW), Etienne Boulanger (UNCW, Brian Harrison (UNCW), Christian Davidson (UNCW)
Offensive MVP : Andres Pulin (Winthrop); Defensive MVP: Indy Smith (UNCW)
