NEW CASTLE, Del. - The Caldwell College men's soccer team overcame an early deficit to defeat Wilmington College, 3-1 in the first round of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Tuesday afternoon at the Kirkwood Soccer Complex. The win moves the fifth-seeded Cougars (12-6-1) into Thursday's semifinal match against top-seeded Dominican. The Wildcats end their season at 4-10-4.

The Wildcats got on the scoreboard first when Joe Galasso converted a penalty kick in the 10th minute. Galasso also scored on a penalty kick in the 90th minute of the first meeting between the two teams, which resulted in a 1-1 double-overtime tie on Sept. 25. The Cougars pressed hard for the equalizer, and their efforts were rewarded in the 40th minute when junior Kevin Libbos (Ontario, Canada/Glengarry) beat Wildcats goalkeeper Josh Ruggiero for his fourth goal of the season.

Although Caldwell dominated play in the second half, the game remained tied until the 80th minute. Wilmington goalkeeper Dan Mangat, who replaced Ruggiero at halftime, misplayed a ball that bounced right to freshman Andrew Fraser (Kingston, Jamaica/Wolmer's) (pictured). Fraser deposited the ball into the empty net for his second goal of the season. Caldwell leading scorer Bard Skjelstad (Bodo, Noway) added an insurance goal just one minute later off a pass from freshman Christian Motte (Lima, Peru) to end the scoring. Skjelstad, who was named to the All-CACC first team earlier today, now has nine goals and six assists for 24 points.

Junior goalkeeper Mike Turdo (West Paterson, NJ/Passaic Valley) made one save for the Cougars, while Ruggiero and Mangat combined for seven saves for Wilmington.

Caldwell plays Dominican in the CACC semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 4:30 p.m., following the Caldwell women's soccer team's semifinal match-up against Wilmington, which begins at 2:00 p.m. Both games are at Tryon Field at Felician College.

CC - 1 2 - 3

BC - 0 0 - 0

Scoring Summary: 1. WC - Joe Galasso (penalty kick), 10th minute. 2. CC - Kevin Libbos 4 (unassisted), 40th minute. 3. CC - Andrew Fraser 2 (unassisted), 80th minute. 4. CC - Bar Skjelstad 9 (Christian Motte), 81st minute.

Shots: CC - 12; WC - 4

Saves: Turdo, CC - 1; Ruggiero (45:00), WC - 4; Mangat (45:00), WC - 3

Corner Kicks: CC - 7; WC - 3

Fouls: CC - 7; WC - 11

Offsides: CC - 2; WC - 0

Yellow Cards: CC - Turdo (87th minute); Libbos (90th minute); WC - none