UNC Wilmington men defeat VCU

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Freshman Etienne Boulanger scored with 1:32 remaining in the first half to propel UNC Wilmington.  The win extended the Seahawks’ (7-2-2, 3-0-1 CAA) winning streak to a season-best three games and their unbeaten streak to four. The Rams, meanwhile, dropped their sixth straight outing to fall to 3-7-1 overall and 0-5-0 in the conference.

The victory also lifted the Seahawks into first-place in the 12-team circuit with 10 points. The rest of the league returns to action on Wednesday.

Boulanger provided the game-winner on a cross from junior Tyler Clare at the 43:28 mark. Clare broke loose along the right flank and cut the ball back into the box where he sent a low cross into the middle. The cross was deflected to Boulanger who sent a volley into the middle of the net to beat VCU goal keeper Jackson Van Arsdale. It was Boulanger’s third goal of the season and his second game-winner.

VCU’s best scoring chance of the game came in the 30th minute when Carlos Picado found himself alone on the right side of the goalie box, one-on-one with Duckworth. Picado flicked a shot head past Duckworth, but Duckworth was able to get a hand on it and knock it out past the goal post for a corner kick.

UNCW outshot the Rams by a 12-9 count, including a 6-3 margin in the second half.

Seahawk junior goalie Brock Duckworth recorded his fourth shutout of the season and the 14th of his career. Duckworth needed six saves to complete the clean sheet.

Van Arsdale finished with six saves.

The Seahawks visit CAA upstart Towson on Oct. 18, for a 3 p.m. kickoff. VCU will head to Philadelphia, Pa., on Oct. 17, for a 7 p.m. start against Drexel.