Wilmington, NC - The Cape Fear Men's Soccer team suffered their first loss of the season, losing 2-0 to Richard Bland College.

The Statesmen controlled most of the possessions all game, with tight defense preventing the Sea Devils from having a lot of chances at goal.

After some back and forth during the early minutes of the game, Richard Bland began getting chances with shots coming in the 9th and 12th minutes.

Richard Bland would eventually break through in the 25th minute, as Miguel Ramos scored his first goal of the season, with an assist coming from Dusan Stankovic.

The Statesmen would control much of the first half, with the Sea Devils unable to get a shot off. The start of the second half would reflect much of the first, with Richard Bland getting three shots at goal in the first three minutes.

Cape Fear would have their first shot on goal come in the 54th minute thanks to Andrew Barton, whose shot would be saved by goalkeeper Justin Ennis. David Graham would have another attempt at goal go wide right in the 60th minute.

Richard Bland would get their second goal in the 65th minute, as Tulio Graciano would score his first goal of the season.

In total, the Statesmen out shot the Sea Devils 17-3, with seven shots on goal to the Sea Devils'
one.

"Unfortunately this was not a good day for us between fitness and health," Head Coach C.W. Ponton said after the game.  Ponton felt a lack fitness played a role in the loss. "We certainly didn't play to our potential, and fitness played a role."

Ponton also felt inexperience played a factor, but believes they will be able to rebound from the loss. "I think that our team still has a lot to give, and I'm really expecting us to bounce back off of this. I think we're really going to surprise a few teams."

With the loss, the Sea Devils fell to 1-1 in the season.

The Sea Devils will play next on Tuesday, September 6th, as they will take on Wake Tech Community College at 1:30 p.m. on the road in Raleigh.

Courtesy of Nick Denning