Offense Leads Way In Men's Soccer Victory Over Hilbert

Offense Leads Way In Men's Soccer Victory Over Hilbert

The Wells College men's soccer team scored four times and earned its first victory of the season with a 4-1 win over visiting Hilbert College on Saturday evening in Aurora, N.Y. Wells is 1-0-1 on the season and Hilbert is 0-2-0.

Wells opened the scoring in the fifth minute of the contest. During an attacking move in the penalty area, a Wells player was fouled and a penalty kick was awarded. Hunter Sowersby stepped to the spot and converted the penalty for his first goal of the season to give the Express a 1-0 lead.

The Express added three goals in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Benjamen Schanbacher scored his second goal of the season on an assist from Adam Whitaker. Whitaker played a square ball across the top of the 18, and Schanbacher fired in a goal from 25 yards out inside the left post. It was the first goal from open play this season by Wells, whose first two goals of the year came from penalties.

Another Hilbert infraction in the box, a handball by a defending player, awarded another penalty kick to Wells in the 75th minute and Justin Bingham successfully converted it for a 3-0 advantage.

Wells scored its fourth goal of the game on a sharp passing play in the box, as Michael Henry converted a short pass from Richie Martino in the 83rd minute. Martino beat his defender, and slid a pass to Henry at the right post for a goal from nine yards.

Hilbert scored in the 87th minute as Wade Bergum took a low, hard shot from the right side that was deflected by Wells goalkeeper Owen May. Tyler Eister scored on the rebound to give the Hawks a late goal. With 11 seconds left in the second half, a penalty kick was awarded to Hilbert, but Owen May dove to his left and made the save to punctuate the victory.

It was the 11th all-time meeting between the teams, and Wells improved its record in the series to 7-4-0. Wells has won seven of the last eight games.

Wells returns to action Sunday, Sept. 11 at home against Keuka. It will be the first North Eastern Athletic Conference match of the season for Wells.