WILMINGTON, N.C. — Stony Brook fell to UNC Wilmington, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon at the UNCW Soccer Stadium. The Seawolves conceded a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes, suffering a tough loss on the road at the CAA leader.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNC Wilmington had a dream start, scoring the opening minute on a corner kick. Stony Brook was unable to clear the setpiece and the Seahawks capitalized with a goal just 45 seconds into the match.
The Seawolves didn't need very long to find an equalizer, leveling the match on a setpiece from the corner on the other end of the pitch. Sammy Hannwacker's service found the left foot of Reilly Rich, who re-directed the ball into the net to even the match at 1-1 less than 10 minutes into play.
Abigail Roche provided Stony Brook with the lead, scoring on a free kick in the 29th minute. The goal was Roche's first of the season and the Seawolves' second unanswered after conceding an opening-minute goal.
The Seawolves' lead lasted just over 12 minutes before the Seahawks found an equalizer. A short-side strike leveled the contest with less than five minutes to play in an exciting first half of action at UNCW Soccer Stadium.
Linn Beck opened the scoring in the second half, heading a ball high towards the crossbar that the UNCW keeper could not punch over and out. The ball found the back of the net to give the Seawolves the lead again, 3-2, just over 10 minutes into the second half.
The Seahawks fought back and their resilience paid off, courtesy of a penalty kick in the 72nd minute that tied the match. Then, in the 85th minute, UNCW went in front for the first time since early in the first half. A free kick from distance towards goal skimmed just over the outstretched hands of Jona Hennings and into the back of the net.
Stony Brook's final chance at an equalizer came on another free kick opportunity for Roche, but it was corralled. The Seahawks held off the Stony Brook attack and completed the come-from-behind win.
STATS AND NOTES
- After conceding an opening minute goal, Rich scored her CAA leading 13th goal of the season to level the match.
- Roche scored the first goal of her collegiate career directly from a free kick to put Stony Brook ahead for the first time in the match.
- Beck started the scoring in the second half, giving Stony Brook its second lead of the match early in the second half.
- Hannwacker had the assist on Rich's goal, her fourth of the season. Hannwacker's eight points this season are fourth most on the team.
- Eva Sprewell assisted on Beck's go-ahead goal, her second helper of the season.
- All three of Stony Brook's goals came via a free kick.
- The four goals against matched a season-high for a Seawolves' opponent. Stony Brook's four goals allowed were the most against a CAA opponent since allowing four against Drexel in 2022.
UP NEXT
Stony Brook returns to Long Island to host crosstown rival Hofstra on Sunday, October 26 in the regular season finale. The Seawolves and the Pride are scheduled for a 1 pm start at LaValle Stadium, streaming live on FloCollege.
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