WILMINGTON, Del. – A clash of nationally-ranked men's soccer teams ended with No. 16 Gannon falling to No. 13 Wilmington 2-1 after a late 86^th minute goal put the Wildcats ahead for good. The loss was Gannon's first of the fall season and the team's record now moves to 4-1. Wilmington improves its record to 5-0-1.
 
There was no score in the first half despite a procession of Wilmington corner kicks (eight compared to none for the Golden Knights.) Gannon redshirt junior Sergio Del Castillo (Madrid, Spain/) finally opened the scoring in the 74^th minute from a set piece. Lennox Crews (Offenbach, Germany/Leibnizschule) whipped in a perfect cross from the corner flag and Del Castillo, without even leaving his feet, got plenty of power on a header that beat the keeper and gave the Golden Knights the lead.
 
Wilmington responded less than 40 seconds later, when a Tyler Guadagno cross from the right wing took a wicked deflection in the box to equalize the game. The winner came in the 86^th minute—from the left wing this time—and another cross, as Shawn Genus sent it to the head of Pol Romero right in front of goal, scoring the eventual game-winning goal.
 
Wilmington held a total advantage in shots over Gannon (15-3) and in corner kicks (14-5). Individually, Gannon's Ben Nurlanbek's three shots led the team, with Del Castillo's two (both on target) just behind. Maximiliano Rocco (Florence, S.C.) faced six on-target Wilmington shots and made four saves.
 
The Golden Knights are back on the pitch in seven days when they travel to Wheeling on Saturday, Sept 25 for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.