WILMINGTON – The Wilmington College men’s soccer team handled Heidelberg University from start to finish in a 5-0 Ohio Athletic Conference victory at Williams Stadium Sunday afternoon.
“I’m so proud of our guys today,” WC men’s soccer coach Alex Van der Sluijs said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve got a chance to compete, so the energy building up was contagious.”
The Fightin’ Quakers, playing in their first contest in 498 days, opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Elorm Dogbey broke loose. Five minutes later, Zach Burgmeier fired a shot from the top of the box that was saved, but Yusef Muqtadir was right there to clean up the rebound and put it in the open net.
The Quakers wasted very little time, 15 seconds in fact, to extend their advantage in the second half as Ian Molfenter, an All-OAC selection in 2019, scored his first of the year. Just over 10 minutes later, Burgmeier slipped a pass to Dogbey, who netted his second of the game. Leading 4-0, Wilmington enjoyed possessing the ball for the remaining 30-plus minutes. Molftenter would find the back of the net one more time, however, scoring unassisted in the 74th minute.
Felix Maurer earned the win, making one save in over 80 minutes of action. Bradyn Riffle completed the shutout for the Quakers.
“It’s great to start off with a win,” Van der Sluijs said. “This is a great group of young men with a lot of potential so hopefully we can start to build from this and relish in the opportunity we’re given every day.”
The hosts held a 24-8 shots advantage including by a 10-2 mark in the first half. The Quakers also took seven corner kicks compared to three for the Student Princes.
Wilmington (1-0-0) hosts Muskingum 7 p.m. Thursday.
