Wilmington, NC - The Cape Fear men's soccer team defeated Wake Tech 1-0 Friday evening. Freshman Carlos Ochoa scored the game's only goal, while freshman goalkeeper Alex Gedrys picked up the clean sheet, his first of the season.
It was a contested fixture throughout, with only a few chances developing for either team.
Wake Tech almost took the lead in the 6th minute, when the Eagles' Patrick Ross had his shot hit the crossbar.
The near goal was a wake up call for the Sea Devils, who would respond with the game's first goal three minutes later, as Ochoa would slot his first goal of the season to give the home team the early lead. Sophomore Andrew Barton would provide the assist on the goal.
Cape Fear held the momentum for next portion of the first half, getting the ball into Wake Tech's final third.
Wake Tech would almost capitalize on a Cape Fear turnover in the 16th minute, but Gedrys would save the header on goal.
Momentum would stagnant midway through the first half, with neither team able to maintain possession for long. The Sea Devils would manage to create a couple of opportunities to score, but none of them threatened the Eagles' goal.
Then, in the 35th minute, Ochoa put a shot across the face of the goal that would be pushed away by the goalkeeper. It was Cape Fear's best chance at goal since they took the lead.
While the score remained at 1-0, the Sea Devils were the stronger side. The Eagles found themselves pinned back in their own half as the Sea Devils applied pressure, forcing them into turnovers. Despite the pressure, they would be unable to grab a second, but would head into half with the lead, and the momentum.
Both teams would come out aggressive to start the second half. Cape Fear would then gain control, earning a few free kicks.
In the 54th minute, Barton would send a shot right at the goalkeeper, who would push it over the crossbar.
Wake Tech developed an attack in the 61st minute, but Cape Fear would defend it well, and create a counter off of it.
Later, freshman Keaton Simmons would get a breakaway chance in the 66th minute, but the goalkeeper would get to ball before Simmons could collect it, and the two would collide in the box.
Cape Fear would defend set pieces well in the second half, clearing each of Wake Tech's corners well outside the box, and preventing them from getting a second ball in.
As the game came to a close, the Sea Devils dug in to keep the lead. Gedrys would make a great save in the 80th minute, catching a point blank shot that was angled towards him by the Eagles.
Cape Fear would continue pressuring Wake Tech in the final minutes rather than sit back. The decision paid off, as they kept the ball back in the Eagles' half as the final seconds ticked off.
Afterwards, head coach C.W. Ponton was pleased with the team's win. "We really built off what we went over this week in practice, and I like to see that transition into the game. We had good intensity, better communication, good positioning, and overall just a good game, but we do have things to improve off of this game as well."
Today's victory was also the team's third clean sheet of the season. With the win, they improve to 3-6 on the season, and in conference.
Their next game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4th, where they will take on Richard Bland College on the road at 4:00 p.m.
Courtesy of Nick Denning
