BUCKHANNON – The West Virginia Wesleyan men's soccer team saw a lot of positives in their season opener with the California (Pa.) Vulcans, but unfortunately they came up just short on the scoreboard as they dropped a 2-1 decision.
Cooper Amos headed in a shot that bounced of the left post and into the net that gave California a 1-0 advantage with 15:40 gone in the first half.
Wesleyan had to play a man down for the rest of the game at the 33-minute mark when Juwon Akintude was given a red card after a collision with California goalie Lucas Exner.
Just a minute later, Jens Demul sent home a penalty kick after a California foul in the box when Exner was called for tripping to deadlock the game at 1-1.
That 1-1 score held at the intermission.
In the 71st minute, Eric Campbell scored the game-winner for California when he played a ball in front of the about 17 feet out after taking a pass from Kyle Richards.
Wesleyan had several good looks in the final 18 minutes but was unable to find the back of the net.
Wesleyan owned a 13-6 margin in goals and an 8-3 advantage in shots-on-goal.
California was guilty of 14 fouls while the 'Cats were guilty of 11.
The Bobcats will return to the pitch this Sunday when they travel to Millersville (Pa.) for a 1 p.m. non-conference game.
(Photo courtesy of Peter Galarneau Jr.)
