UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – The Wilmington College men’s soccer team nearly game from two goals down to force overtime, but John Carroll University held on Saturday for a 2-1 Ohio Athletic Conference victory.

The loss concludes the Fightin’ Quakers regular season with a 9-8 overall record and a 4-5 mark in conference play. Wilmington finished in a three-way tie for fifth place in the OAC, but narrowly missed on the six-team OAC tournament on tiebreakers.

Wilmington finished its 2018 campaign in a tie for fifth place in the OAC, the program’s highest league finish since 2012.

After a scoreless first half, JCU, who hasn’t lost to Wilmington since Nov. 7, 2004, opened the scoring in the 52nd minute as William Turrittin found Evan Malpass who beat Felix Maurer. Just 10 minutes later, Malpass assisted on the Blue Streaks’ second goal scored by Mikey Burrington at the 62:28 mark.

Wilmington wasted no time in its comeback attempt, however, as Niklas Martensson found Leon Tank for a goal in the 68th minute. The Quakers fired five more shots, but couldn’t beat Liam McIntosh a second time.

JCU had 15 shots compared to eight for Wilmington. The Blue Streaks also earned seven corner kicks to the Quakers’ five.