TIFFIN – For two weeks, the Wilmington College men's soccer team knew they had to win out to have a chance of qualifying for the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament.
The Fightin' Quakers lived up to its mascot and fought through for three straight victories. However, they couldn't get the fourth straight – falling to Heidelberg 2-0 Saturday at Hoernemann Stadium in OAC action.
With the loss, Wilmington will have its season end at 8-8-3 overall, 3-4-2 in the OAC.
"It's a very disappointing loss," said Wilmington head coach Bud Lewis. "I thought we were a comparable team, but it didn't show on the scoreboard. It was a game of missed opportunities, in particularly in the first half. We created at least three very dangerous scoring chances and failed to score on any of them."
Heidelberg took the lead with a goal in the 21st minute, and turned the game over to its stout defense. The Student Princes have allowed just four OAC goals this season.
With Wilmington needing a find the equalizer and another goal, the 'Berg gave WC a steady dose of counter-attack in the second half.
"We really struggled in the second half to create an dangerous chances," said Lewis. "As a result of us pushing forward, we got countered a lot. From that standpoint, we were lucky we stayed 1-0 as long as we did."
Lewis credited the play of sophomore Aaron Basford (Monroe, OH/Monroe) and senior Brandon Klepach (Centerville, OH/Centerville), along with freshman keeper R.J. Mancini (Cincinnati, OH/Glen Este), on their defense in the second half as Heidelberg launched 12 second-half shots.
The home team netted an insurance goal in the 84th minute, although many WC players didn't believe the ball crossed the goalline.
The loss marked the end of the careers of Klepach, Martin Holmquist (Karlstad, Sweden/Alvkulle Gymnasiet), Evan Schlagetter (Sidney, OH/Sidney), Taylor Estes (Reading, OH/Reading), Taylor Henderson (Terrace Park, OH/Mariemont), Daniel Wicks (Cincinnati, OH/Reading), Drew Fields (Terrace Park, OH/Mariemont), Ben McMahon (Loveland, OH/Little Miami) and Alex Ruckman (Monroe, OH/Monroe).