WILMINGTON, N.C. - Freshman
midfielder Etienne Boulanger scored twice as nationally-ranked UNC Wilmington
blitzed Colonial Athletic Association foe Drexel, 5-0, in men's soccer action
on Monday at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.
The Seahawks, ranked 21st by Collegesoccernews.com, improved to 12-2-3 overall and ran its conference record to
8-0-2. The Dragons, meanwhile, suffered their fifth consecutive loss and
dropped to 5-11-1 and 1-8-1.
UNCW's 12 wins are the most since the 2004 season when it posted a 12-6-2
mark in Head Coach Aidan Heaney's fourth season with the program. With the win,
the Seahawks extended their unbeaten streak to 10, going 8-0-2 during that
stretch.
The Seahawks opened up a 3-0 first half cushion on goals by juniors Brian Harrison and Daniel Roberts and Boulanger's first of the game.
Harrison notched the opening score when he knocked home a corner kick
cross by junior Tyler Wheaton at the 24:07 mark.
Roberts struck for the second time in his last three games and gave UNCW
a 2-0 lead early in the 31st minute. Roberts was on the scoring end of a short
cross from the leftside by Harrison.
Boulanger's fourth goal of the season completed the halves scoring when
sent a blast past DU keeper Tim Washam with 1:28 remaining in the half.
Freshman Seph Babington was credited with an assist on the goal.
UNCW wasted little time in making it a 4-0 lead early in the second half.
Senior Kirk Hudgins intercepted a failed clearing attempt and split a pair of
Drexel defenders at the top of the penalty area before delivering his fist goal
of the season, 3:11 into the second half.
Boulanger rounded out UNCW's scoring in the 77th minute with his fifth
goal of the season. His fist shot from the right side was stopped by Washam,
who finished with three saves, but Boulanger converted the rebound at the 76:44
mark.
Drexel did fashion a narrow 16-14 shot advantage, but wasn't able to
break though UNCW's goalkeeping tandem of junior Brock Duckworth and senior
Bryson Siemon. Duckworth collected nine saves before departing for Siemon, who
played the final 12 minutes.
Nate Baker paced the Dragons with four shots, including two on goal.
The Seahawks, who clinched the regular season title for the second striaght season, wrap up
their regular season on Nov. 7, when they visit Hofstra for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
UNCW will be the top seed for the CAA championship tournament on Nov. 13-15 which will be at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.