For nearly the entire match, the Wilmington College men's soccer team faced an uphill battle, and fell to Maryville Saturday, 2-1, in the 2015 Kiwanis Classic on Townsend Field at Williams Stadium.

The Scots took the lead with a goal in just the sixth minute, and then added another goal in the 26th minute to double their advantage.

"Maryville scored a goal early on, and they exposed our defensive shape," said Wilmington head coach Bud Lewis. "Five minutes in, and we are already down 1-nil. This is a team that is just starting to learn to play with the energy and emotion that you need to have to be successful. We are doing the work without the emotion, and without the commitment to play hard. That was one of the differences in the second half. We started playing with the extra effort, both offensively and defensively."

While Maryville dominated the first 45 minutes, and took a 2-0 lead into the half, the Fightin' Quakers quickly got themselves back into the contest early in the second half. Freshman Benny Spirk (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) scored on a deflected save in the 51st minute.

"It was a great run by (Jesse Buhrman) and a good shot by Niklas (Martensson)," said Lewis. "The goalkeeper made a great deflection and Benny finished it."

Wilmington continued to apply the pressure offensively, and freshman goalkeeper Nick Latessa (Englewood, OH/Northmont) enabled the Fightin' Quakers to stay within striking distance. He finished with 10 saves, four in the second half, on 12 shots.

"His second half was just stellar," said Lewis. "You can't ask for any more out of a goalkeeper."

Wilmington (1-4) continues play in the 2015 Kiwanis Classic by hosting Wittenberg 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Maryville and Berea will kick off action at 1 p.m.