November 8, 2001
B.B. Branton
(931) 598-1136

Men's Soccer:

Wilmington Defeats Sewanee, 2-1, in NCAA First Round

(Greencastle, Ind.) --   The Wilmington (Ohio) College Quakers defeated Sewanee, 2-1, here Wednesday night in a NCAA Men’s Div. III Soccer First Round match.
Sewanee (15-3-0) had its best season in the 34-year history of the program, but came up a couple of goals shy of advancing to the round of 32.

Wilmington (17-2-2) will face Roanoke (Va.) College in the South Region semifinals at Greensboro (N.C.) College on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Greensboro and Hardin-Simmons play at 11 a.m. in the first semifinal. The South Region finals are Sunday at 1 p.m.

Willmington took a 1-0 lead on a goal in the 13th minute on a header by Mike Evans inside the upper left corner off a corner kick from Mike Miller.

Sewanee tied the match when sophomore Jack Bethay (Birmingam, Ala./Mountain Brook) scored in the 43rd minute with an assist by senior Andrew North (Florence, S.C./Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn.) off of his free kick. This was Bethay’s fourth goal of the season, while North ended his career with a school record-tying 42 assists.

Wilmington’s Scott Lower gave the Quakers the lead for good at 2-1, as he scored on a penalty kick in the 71st minute.

Sewanee put the pressure on the Wilmington defense in the last 15 minutes and had a few excellent scoring chances, including a header by junior David Allen (Lexington, Ky./Lexington Catholic) that went high and wide right from five yards out in the final five minutes.

"Wilmington is a very athletic and aggressive team and they played well,’’ said Sewanee coach Matt Kern. "We put a good deal of pressure on them in the final 15 minutes of each half, but we were not able to control the ball as much as we would have liked.

"It’s been a fantastic year for all of us, and we look to continue to build on our rich tradition next season.’’

STATS:

Shots: Sewanee - 11 Wilmington – 29

Corner Kicks: Sewanee – 4 Wilmington – 11

Fouls: Sewanee – 18 Wilmington – 16

Offsides: Sewanee – 13 Wilmington - 21

Goals: Sewanee – Jack Bethay, 42: 54 (Andrew North; 42nd career assist)

Wilmington – Mike Evans 12:49 (Mike Miller), Scott Lower, 70:23 (penalty kick)

Goal Saves: Sewanee (Paul Roper – 8) Wilmington (Billy Gronostaj - 7)

Sewanee Seniors: Tri-captains Ryan Davis, Paul Roper and Andrew North as well as teammate Andrew Danielle played their final college soccer match against Wilmington.

Ryan Davis: Sr. Forward: two-time, 2nd team All-SCAC and All-South; two-time Academic All-SCAC .. 8 goals, 6 assists this season.

Andrew North, Sr. Midfielder: 42 career assists (tied for all-time lead) two-time, 2nd team All-SCAC.

Paul Roper, Sr. Goalkeeper: 23 career shutouts; 2nd team All-South; 1st team All-SCAC as a junior.

Andrew Daniele, Sr. Forward: One goal and one assist this season.

Season Highlites: SCAC Champs .. NCAA Tournament Participant .. 15-3-0 overall .. Set regular season record for fewest goals allowed (13) .. School record for consecutive wins (11) and consecutive shutouts (7).