Syracuse, N.Y. - For the third consecutive season, the Adelphi University men's soccer program will play in the NCAA Division II East Region Championship after defeating Wilmington University in the second round Sunday afternoon on the campus of Le Moyne College.
The Panthers (16-3-2) used a goal in the opening minute from
James Thristino to get ahead as strong defense held the Wildcats (15-3-4) scoreless over the following 38 minutes. Wilmington netted the equalizer with under seven to play in the opening half when Sam Jester sent a header past Adelphi keeper
Matt Apicella.
Despite being out shot in the second half 4-3, the Brown and Gold used a bit of help from the Wildcat defense to score the eventual gamewinner.
Taylor Kaczynski sent a cross from the left side into the box and in an attempt to save the shot, a member of the Wilmington back line slid to deflect the ball and it redirected to the back of the goal, adding another tally to Adelphi's score.
The Wildcats also had a corner kick in the 89
th minute, but their sixth and final corner of the day was again cleared without getting a shot off.
The Panthers will meet no. 2 LIU Post in the East Region Championship next week after the Pioneers defeated Mercy College on Saturday to advance. The game will be played on the Pioneers' home field at 1 p.m. on Thursday in Brookville, N.Y.
About Adelphi Athletics
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009, and in the past nine seasons, has collected 28 regular season conference titles, 30 tournament championships, 41 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup four times (2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017), while winning six NCAA Division II National Championships.
For the latest on Adelphi University Athletics, follow the Panthers at www.aupanthers.com or via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Snapchat.
