Men's Soccer Suffers Heartbreak in 2-1 Loss to No. 12 UNCW

Saturday, October 6

Vidas Field

4 p.m.

Drexel University

7-3-2, 1-3-1

#12 UNCW

8-2-1, 3-0-1

UNCW

Drexel

Men's Soccer Suffers Heartbreak in 2-1 Loss to No. 12 UNCW

10/6/2018 6:20:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - A statement victory morphed into a bitter defeat on Saturday evening at Vidas Field as the Drexel men's soccer team fell to No. 12 UNCW, 2-1. The Dragons led the game until the 83 rd minute, then saw the Seahawks score twice in just over two minutes to steal three critical points in the Colonial Athletic Association race.

Stephen Kopsachilis made 10 saves for the Dragons (7-3-2, 1-3-1), but could not control the rebound off his last stop, as the ball found its way to UNCW's Ben Fisher for the game-winner from point-blank range. The Dragons had led for nearly the entire game, benefiting from an own goal for a second consecutive game to take a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute of play. UNCW's Jamil Gracia accidentally headed a ball into his own goal off a Drexel throw in just 3:33 into the game.

Though the Seahawks held a commanding shot advantage throughout the afternoon that ended at 22-10, it was the Dragons who missed several early opportunities to build on their lead. Three times, the Dragons had one-on-ones with UNCW goalkeeper Ryan Cretens but could not put the ball on frame. One of those was essentially an empty net as Cretens misplayed a ball, but the Dragons could not get off a solid shot and a Seahawk defender was able to scramble back in time to clear it off the line.

Kopsachilis did face an onslaught from the Seahawks, turning away a number of bullet shots that they sent on goal. Six of his saves came in the first half, including a tip over the crossbar on a David Lozano shot that nearly eclipsed his outstretched arms on a free kick from 20 yards out.

Kwesi Allen had three shots on goal to lead the Dragons, including two on net. Griffin Mallas also had a pair of shots on the afternoon.

The Dragons now turn their attention to a critical game against archrival Delaware on Wednesday night at Vidas Field. The Dragons came into play on Saturday in fifth place in the CAA, with Delaware just ahead of them in fourth. Wednesday's game, the final CAA home game of the year for Drexel, kicks off at 6 p.m.