UNC Wilmington men beat Binghamton

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia – Nassim Berhouni’s header off a free kick in the 15th minute of play lifted nationally-ranked UNC Wilmington past Binghamton, 1-0, in the first game of the Save Face/WVU Classic at Dick Dlesk Stadium Friday night.

In the season opener for both teams, the Seahawks (1-0) extended their regular season unbeaten streak to 12, dating back to last season. The Bearcats fell to 0-1.

Berhouni’s goal was set up on a free kick from junior Shaun Utterson, who whipped his serve into the box where Berhouni notched his 12th career goal when his header dipped under the cross bar and into the left corner.

Freshman Andy McDaniel nearly made it a two-goal bulge for the Seahawks in the 87th minute, but a BU defender was able to clear his shot off the line and keep it a one-goal game.

UNCW senior Brock Duckworth and the defense combined for the clean sheet as Duckworth made four saves on the evening. The shutout was the 19th of his career and moved him into second-place all-time at UNCW.

Anthony Sokalsi, meanwhile, made one save for the Bearcats. Binghamton was outshot, 10-8, but forced the Seahawks to shoot from range.

The Seahawks close out their weekend tournament appearance on Sunday when they face off against host West Virginia, a 1-0 overtime loser to ninth-ranked Monmouth on Friday, at 3:30 p.m.