ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Warren Wilson College controlled stretches of the second half and created several scoring opportunities, but a 76th-minute goal proved to be the difference as the Owls fell 1-0 to Johnson & Wales University Charlotte on Wednesday afternoon at Hank Steinbrechler Sports Complex.
The loss dropped Warren Wilson to 1-4-1 (0-1 C2C) on the season, while JWU Charlotte improved to 2-3-1 (1-0 C2C).
The teams went into halftime scoreless after a first half in which JWU held a 6-3 advantage in shots. Warren Wilson goalkeeper and reigning C2C Defensive Player of the Week Connor Makinlay-Barish made two saves in the opening 45 minutes to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard. Eric Villeda accounted for two of the Owls' three first-half attempts, while David Ibikunle added the other.
Warren Wilson became much more aggressive after halftime, outshooting JWU 10-7 over the final 45 minutes. The Owls began putting pressure on the Wildcats' goal near the hour mark, with Dylan Keene forcing a save in the 60th minute before Steve Moodie put another attempt on frame three minutes later. The Owls produced one of their best stretches of the match between the 70th and 74th minutes. Keene had two attempts, Ryan Kiser had a shot blocked, and Jaime Millan and Villeda each forced saves as Warren Wilson searched for the opening goal.
JWU broke the scoreless tie at 75:14 when Niklas Seguin scored off an assist from Cody Gomez, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage. Warren Wilson continued to push forward after falling behind. Villeda sent an attempt high less than a minute after the goal, and Millan forced another save in the 82nd minute, but the Owls were unable to find the equalizer.
Villeda led the Owls with four shots, while Keene recorded three. Millan and Moodie each had two attempts, with Millan putting both of his shots on goal. The teams finished even with 13 shots apiece, while JWU held a narrow 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. Makinlay-Barish finished with five saves while allowing the match's lone goal.
