Springfield, Mass. - A first-half penalty for Pablo Herrera didn't stand up for the Adelphi University men's soccer team Thursday night in a season-opening 2-1 loss at the hands of Wilmington University at AIC's Ronald J. Abdow Field in Springfield.

The contest followed a 1-1 draw between AIC and No. 19 Post University to commence play at AIC's four-team round-robin tournament.

Adelphi (0-1) produced early scoring opportunities against the Wilmington defense and got rewarded in the 24th minute.

As Rory Duggan got free inside the eighteen, Wilmington keeper Bas Markus came off his line and tripped up the second-year forward to award the 'Cats a penalty.

Still awaiting his first goal as a Panther, Herrera stepped to the spot and placed his attempt beyond the reach of Markus to get Adelphi on the board first.

The response soon followed though. Wilmington's Malthe Hannesbo and Tyrese Small scored just minutes apart -- the latter off a set piece -- to put the Wildcats in front.

In searching for the equalizer, Adelphi only mustered three shots in the second half. Adis Kolenovic headed a well-placed Benji Jones diagonal over the bar in the 58th minute.

Despite being outshot 13-9 for the contest, Adelphi maintained possession at an impressive clip of 56 percent across the full ninety. The 'Cats also earned six corners to Wilmington's four.

In goal, Daniel De La Heras tied a regular-season career-high with seven saves. He set the mark last October in a 1-1 draw at Assumption.

Head Coach Gary Book and the Panthers are back in Springfield on Saturday (Sept. 2) for a 4 p.m. match at Ronald J. Abdow Field against No. 19 Post.