COMEBACK FALLS SHORT AS DAEMEN HANDS EXPRESS 2-1 LOSS

Aurora, NY – The Daemen Wildcats held off a furious rally by the Wells men's soccer team as they held on to defeat the Express 2-1 Monday afternoon at Wells. Chad Hopson and Mike Wild each scored for the Wildcats while Cody Glassman scored the lone tally for the Express. With the loss the Express fall to 5-11 on the year while the Wildcats improve to 3-10.

Holding a 2-0 lead 23-minutes into the game, it seemed there would be no let up from the Wildcats offense. Pressuring Wells for the better part of the first half, they would head into the break with a 12-6 advantage in shots and a comfortable two goal lead. Momentum would turn quickly in the second half as Cody Glassman would pressure a clear attempt by the Wildcats defense causing a turnover and taking the ball in on a breakaway; with Daemen goalie Jeff Spencer charging to cut off the angle, Glassman would tuck the shot just underneath the goalie to trim the lead down to 2-1. 

Both teams would trade shots in the second half and the Wildcats had what seemed to be a perfect opportunity to seal the game, but a shot by Craig Stead would rip off the near post, bouncing back to the foot of Chris Johnson who sailed the rebound over the Express goal, keeping the game at 2-1 with 12:18 remaining. 

Two-minutes later a foul by the Wildcats inside the box would result in a penalty shot for the Express. Daemen would dodge a bullet as the penalty shot sailed high over goal keeping the game at 2-1 with 10:18 remaining. 

With less than 30 seconds left in the game the Express would draw two last corner kicks. Filling the box with every player, including goalie Mike Birklin, the Express would have both scoring chances stopped by the Wildcats who cleared the ball down the field in the final seconds to hold on for the 2-1 victory. 

Although the Wildcats finished with 26 shots, the Express managed to allow just six of those shots on goal, while holding an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks. 

The Express will next take on Cazenovia College on Saturday, October 25^th at 12:00 pm in Cazenovia.