ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's soccer team held off a gritty rival, William Peace University, 3-2 at home on Thursday afternoon at Scalf Field.
Peace struck first scoring in the 8th minute off of a distraction in the front of the goal. Wesleyan would not be deterred, however, coming back with a goal 5 minutes later off a powerful strike from senior defender Dimas Reyes, who scored his second career goal in his second straight game.
Junior striker Baboucarr Njie then gave the Bishops the lead in the 18th minute off a penalty kick from a Peace foul in the box. Njie would then extend the Bishop lead in the 24th minute off an assist from senior midfielder Tommaso Iovene to stake wesleyan to a 3-1 advantage.
Wesleyan would take a 2 goal lead and 9-8 advantage in shots into the break. However, Peace would cut into the Bishop lead scoring a goal off a corner kick in the 66th minute to trail just 3-2.
However, the Bishops would play great defense the rest of the way in holding off the Pacers for the big Division win. Wesleyan also outshot the Pacers 9-3 in the second half and 18-11 for the game as Njie led the way with 6 shots. He now has 15 goals and 7 assists on the season for 37 points.
Wesleyan improves to 11-2-1 overall and 9-1 in the conference while Peace falls to 7-5-2 and 5-4-1 in the USA South.
The Bishops will next go on the road to play at struggling West Division foe, Berea College, on Saturday at 3:00 PM in Kentucky before playing West rival Maryville on Sunday.