CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina men's soccer team picked up a 2-1 win over No. 9 UNC Wilmington in a battle of nationally-ranked teams at the CCU Soccer Complex Saturday evening, in a game which saw seniors Tor Saunders, DZ Harmon, and Claudio Repetto recognized before the match.
 
Each team had six shots and two goalie saves in the first half, but neither could find the back of the net as the opening 45 minutes ended even at 0-0.
 
The action picked up in the second half with the visitors jumping out with two quick shots in the opening minutes, but CCU's (9-2-2) goalie Saunders picked up two of his six saves to keep the score even.
 
The Chanticleers scored first on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute as a foul was called on UNCW's Cannon Tootle in the box. Repetto calmly knocked in the PK for his fourth goal of the season and fifth of his career.
 
The match stayed that way with both teams having multiple shots on goal before Kasper Skraep headed in a shot that was off his first header that had hit the crossbar and bounced right back to him. That goal was Skraep's second goal of the season and fourth of his career, and it put the Chants up 2-0 with less than 14 minutes left in the match.
 
UNCW (5-1-2) would not go away as the Seahawks finally broke through in the 85th minute when Gabe Mercer scored off a double assist from Jacob Evans and Parker Norris to cut the Chants lead in half.
 
The final minutes were fast and furious as the Seahawks tried to make a run for the tying goal while the Chants tried to control the ball in their possession as much as possible.
 
UNCW finished the game outshooting the Chants 11-7 with a 7-5 lead with shots on goal, but Saunders' play in the goal led the Chants to the victory.
 
The Chanticleers will close the spring season on the road with a return match at the College of Charleston scheduled for Sunday, April 11, at 6 p.m.
 
For complete coverage of CCU men's soccer, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalMSoccer (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.