Wesleyan Men’s Soccer was back in action Sunday evening for a match against the defending National Champions. The University of Charleston Golden Eagles came to town spotting a 2-0-1 record overall, and a 1-0-0 record in conference play. This would be the Bobcats second conference game of 2018.

The first ten minutes of action was back and forth play with no major opportunities for either team. The first real opportunity came with 33 minutes left in the first half when a cross played in from Wesleyan deflected to Luca Faconieri who hit a shot from 20-yards out that was saved by the Charleston keeper.

Just before the half, UC placed a ball in the back of the net from a pass off a direct kick. However, the play would be offside and going into half the score would remain tied 0-0. The first half was a physical one towards the end, and the combined fouls for the half was at 18.

The start of the second half saw much of the same, as fouls were committed back and forth by both teams,and neither getting any shots on goal for the first 15 minutes of that half.

As the final minutes of regular time approached, Charleston put the pressure on the Bobcats. The defense held strong and shut down many counter opportunities by Charleston. The physicality was a theme throughout regular time with Wesleyan committing 23 fouls, and Charleston committing 12. The game would head into the first OT tied 0-0.

UC had a chance to win the game in the 94th minute when Gabriel Cabral fired a shot from 15-yards out that went just wide. With 10 seconds remaining in the first OT, the Bobcats were not as lucky as Alexandre Guichard fired a perfect shot in the upper right corner to seal the game 1-0. UC only had 6 shots on goal for the game, while Wesleyan had 7.

The Bobcats next contest will be on the road at Wheeling Jesuit. The game will be Wednesday, September 12th.