Wildcats defeat St. Gregory’s University
The Wiley College men’s soccer team was at full strength and took advantage of two corner kicks in a 2-0 victory over St. Gregory’s University Friday.
Dwight Pope returned to the lineup after missing the first two games. He scored the Wildcats’ first goal in the 16th minute with a header off Abraham Castilla’s corner kick. Pope finished the game with four shots. The goal was his first since 2015.
“It felt good,” Pope said. “The night before the game I prepared myself and I was confident I could score.”
Tafadzwa Madamombe, who missed the first two games with injury – also returned to the field. In the 69th minute, Castilla set up Luis Pena Marquez with a corner kick to give the Wildcats an insurance goal. It was Pena Marquez’ first goal of the season. Wiley College out-shot St. Gregory’s 23-10. Both teams had six shots on goal. The Wildcats were awarded seven corner kicks to one for the Cavaliers.
“Any free kick, you want to give your teammates a chance to score,” head coach Demetrio Hernandez said. “I thought Abraham Castilla did that today. All of his corner kicks were really good.”
Erik Reyes and Wesley Whitt each played a half at goalkeeper and made three saves. Most of the Cavaliers’ shots were from long range. The Wildcats will travel to Frisco, Texas, Saturday to face No. 24 Wayland Baptist University.