PHILLIPI, W.VA. -- A late surge from the West Virginia Wesleyan (2-1-0) men's soccer team was not enough to overtake Alderson Broaddus (1-1-0) in a 2-1 defeat on Wednesday (March 17).

Wesleyan started the first half on their heels as the Battlers came out on the attack. AB took advantage of that momentum when Melvrik Fernandes slotted home his first goal of the season when he put a free-kick from the left edge of the box into the back of the net. 

WVWC had a few chances to equalize but couldn't manage a goal during the first half. 

After Charlie Naylor was administered his second yellow card resulting in a game misconduct, Wesleyan found themselves with ten men for the second half. 

As they had done all game, the Battlers did not give any momentum back to the Bobcats. The Battlers found themselves in a two-on-one situation late in the game when they added an insurance goal. Khori Miles beat WVWC keeper Sahil Dhunookchand and sent a ball across the box to Nathan Djona, who put the Battlers up 2-0 in the 88th minute. 

The insurance goal would prove to be crucial as Wesleyan got a late goal back when Connor Hartwell sent in a long cross off a set-piece. The cross found its way to Hunter Dierlam's head and he placed it past the Alderson Broaddus goalkeeper to cut the deficit in half. The goal would be the first collegiate goal of Dierlam's young career. That would not be enough as the Battlers held on to hand the Bobcats their first loss of the season. 

Wesleyan has a short memory as their next fixture comes on Sunday (March 21) at home against Notre Dame (Ohio). The contest will kick off at 2 p.m.