COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University men's soccer team (5-6-4, 4-1-1 OAC) welcomed Wilmington (11-2-3, 4-2-0) to town on Wednesday night for what would turn out to be quite the exciting night that ended with a Purple and White win, 2-1. Nico Voight (6) and Brennan Hesse (1) were the goal-scorers for CU. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets went in front in just the ninth minute as Nico Voight scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Voight received a through ball from Brendon Dorsett and chopped a shot back against the grain to beat the Quaker goalie, putting Cap in front. Both Dorsett and Brennan Hesse – who set up the through pass – were credited with assists. 

Though Capital peppered the Quaker net before halftime, they could not find another goal, settling for the 1-0 lead at the break. 

To start the second half, Wilmington began to work back into the game, but the Comets kept their nerve and eventually doubled their lead in the 59th minute as Hesse would score his second career goal off a scrum in the box. Jacob Deever sent a free kick into a congested penalty area where Hesse would slam home a loose ball to put CU in front, 2-0. 

For Cap, that two-goal advantage wouldn't last long as the Quakers counter attacked to perfection in the 60th minute, as Parker Burke would tap in a cross from Randy Harris to make it a 2-1 game. 

Wilmington would look to equalize in the 86th minute after being awarded a penalty kick for a foul in the box. However, freshman Noah Thomas had other plans, saving the PK and keeping the Comets ahead until the end, 2-1. 

THE NUMBERS
All-in-all, the teams combined for 40 shots, with Capital taking the lion's share of 22.

Nico Voight scored his sixth goal of the season. 

Brennan Hesse netted his first of the year, also recording his second assist.

Brendon Dorsett tallied his second assist of the season. 

Noah Thomas (4-1-1) notched his fourth win of the season, spending the evening in the goal for Capital and making five saves, including the most important of his young career against the PK to keep Cap ahead late in the game.

UP NEXT
The Comets travel to Westerville on Saturday for the ever-important Battle for the Oar against Otterbein. Capital looks to acquire the oar for the first time since its re-inception in 2021. That game is slated to get going at 5:00 p.m.