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Box Score

COLUMBUS – The Capital University men's soccer team played a strong second half to force overtime Tuesday, but ended up on the wrong end in a 2-1 defeat against Wilmington in an Ohio Athletic Conference showdown at Bernlohr Stadium.

The Quakers (8-4-1 overall, 3-0-1 OAC) forced the ball into Crusader territory where, just after a corner kick, Capital was called for a hand ball in the box, giving Wilmington a penalty kick.

Dan Wicks converted the PK in the 97th minute to send the Crusaders (5-5-3, 0-3-1) to a gut-wrenching defeat.

After Capital surrendered a goal in the eighth minute off a turnover, junior Nick Eley (Pickerington, Ohio; at left) tied the contest on a great play in the 59th minute. Freshman Chris Mir-Salimi (Strongsville, Ohio) sent a ball in from the right side and Eley made a beautiful play, going up in the air and heading the ball into the back of the net. It was Mir-Salimi's team-leading fifth assist of the season.

After a somewhat sluggish first half, the Crusaders controlled play in the second, outshooting the Quakers 8-5 in the period and 11-8 for the contest. Capital also had a 9-7 edge in corner kicks but was whistled for 19 fouls, compared to 11 for Wilmington.

Junior goalkeeper Bob Weisgarber (Columbus, Ohio) made four saves, while sophomore R.G. Florey (Westerville, Ohio) pressured the Quaker defense with four shots, including one on goal.

The Crusaders resume OAC play this Saturday against Mount Union. Match time is set for 1 p.m. and is part of a men's-women's doubleheader at Bernlohr Stadium.