Loses Kiwanis title on second tiebreaker

Wilmington exploded for three second-half goals to post a 3-0 victory over Defiance Saturday in the fourth game of the 2014 Wilmington Kiwanis Classic. However, the two goals allowed Friday to Earlham cost the Fightin' Quakers the Kiwanis championship.

Wittenberg, which shutout both Defiance and Earlham, claimed the title virtue of the second tiebreaker – goals allowed.

Four Wilmington players – junior Nick Toney (Morrow, OH/Little Miami), senior Martin Holmquist (Karlstad, Sweden/Alvkulle Gymnasiet), senior Daniel Wicks (Cincinnati, OH/Reading) and senior Taylor Estes (Reading, OH/Reading) – were named to the 2014 Wilmington Kiwanis Classic All-Tournament team. Joining them on the All-Tournament team were Brian Boutin, Pat Symczack, Alexandre Vouthey and Joe Pott (Wittenberg); Blayne Robbins and Adam Pitchel (Defiance); and Mussa Ibrahim (Earlham).

Wilmington unleashed 12 shots in the first half, and the Yellow Jackets were lucky to have a clean sheet after the first 45 minutes.

"Give Defiance all the credit. They were very organized," said Wilmington head coach Bud Lewis. "When we got in front of the goal, we hit the post, the goalkeeper made a couple of saves, plus they had two cleared off the line. They fought and battled. We gave them a great effort. I was really happy with how we played and how we created chances. Defensively, Defiance played us tougher than anybody we've played this season."

Toney finally got Wilmington on the board three minutes into the second half. Just a day after assisting on the game-winning goal, he tallied the game winner himself.

"Ethan (Zimpfer) made a real good challenge on the ball, Nick read it and broke through their defenders; and controlled it enough to get it pass their keeper," said Lewis. "It was a huge, huge goal for us. The winning goals are usually the hardest ones to get. It was a really good effort on the part of the Nick."

He was back at it in the 64th minute, assisting senior Drew Fields (Terrace, OH/Mariemont) on an insurance goal.

While it's the finishers that seem to get the lion's share of the credit, Lewis made sure to recognize the play in the middle.

"We talk about the goals, but the really great play came out on the field with Martin (Holmqist), Taylor (Estes), Evan (Schlagetter) and (Daniel) Wicks," he said. "They all produced out there. They really held the ball well, and we showed a lot of patience; and we showed the ability to fight through a team that plays you tough."

The Fightin' Quakers capped the scoring as Fields and senior Brandon Klepach (Centerville, OH/Centerville) combined to assist on senior Taylor Henderson's (Terrace Park, OH/Mariemont) first goal of the season.

Freshman R.J. Mancini (Cincinnati, OH/Glen Este) and Wicks combined on the shutout; each recording a save. Wicks was forced back into goal due to an injury by Mancini in the first half.

Wilmington (5-2) returns to Williams Stadium 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, hosting Centre in non-conference action.