FRANKLIN, IN - Senior Nick Toney scored twice and freshman Benny Spirk dished out two assists as Wilmington opened the 2015 season with a 3-2 victory over Franklin Tuesday in non-conference action.
Toney (Morrow, OH/Little Miami) scored in the sixth and 27th minutes to give Wilmington a 2-0 lead. The first goal was assisted by Spirk (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) and the second by sophomore Grady Garrison (Cincinnati, OH/McNicholas).
Franklin countered with consecutive goals in the 40th and 44th minutes to go into halftime tied.
A pair of newbies paired to help Wilmington secure the victory as Niklas Martennson (Torna Hallestad, Sweden/NTI) found the back of the net six minutes into the second half off an assist from Spirk.
Freshman goalkeeper Nick Latessa (Englewood, OH/Northmont) secured five saves on seven shots to post his first collegiate victory.
Shot were nearly even as Wilmington held a slight 13-12 advantage, but shots on goal were even at seven.
Wilmington (1-0) travels to Birmingham, AL 8:30 p.m. Friday to face the Panthers of Birmingham Southern.
