Video by Jim Dallke

The UNC Wilmington men’s soccer team outlasted Virginia Commonwealth to post a 1-0 victory Tuesday night at the UNCW soccer stadium. Freshman midfielder Etienne Boulanger netted the only goal of the match just before halftime and the Seahawk defense was able to withstand a barrage of late pressure from the Rams to hold on for the narrow win.

The victory keeps the Seahawks at the top of the Colonial Athletic Association standings as their league unbeaten run has stretched to four games. With a conference record of 3-0-1 [7-2-2 overall], the Seahawks sit one point ahead of second-placed William & Mary and Hofstra, who are both 3-1.

In a back-and-forth affair, the Seahawks were able to weather some early pressure by VCU as junior goalkeeper Brock Duckworth was called into action on a few long-range efforts. Duckworth recorded six saves on the night en route to his fourth shutout of the season [14th of career].

While much of the first half was played in the middle of the field, the Seahawks were able to snatch a deserved lead with less than two minutes until the break.

Junior midfielder Daniel Roberts started the move when he flicked a pass in behind the Ram defense to fellow junior Tyler Clare. Clare raced down the right wing and into the box before knocking a low cross through the middle. After taking a deflection, the ball fell to Boulanger, who collected himself and fired a volley into the top of the net from close range.

Seahawks Head coach Aidan Heaney was pleased with Clare’s contribution in the build-up to the goal. “Tyler’s been great for us,” he said. “He has good pace and was a real handful for them tonight. He did well to set up the goal.”

Boulanger’s goal made way for a more open second half as both teams pressed for the next goal.

UNCW created the better of the chances yet could not break Rams goalkeeper Jackson Van Arsdale’s forceful resistance for a second time.

“To be honest, we could’ve and probably scored one or two more,” Heaney said.

Without a second goal, the Seahawks were forced to dig in defensively as the Rams threw everything forward for the final 10 minutes. It took some crucial, last second clearances and a few good, strong punches from Duckworth; but the Seahawks were able to keep the Rams off the scoresheet and come away with the three points.

Heaney praised the mental resolve of the Seahawks’ back-line. “They’ve developed a real understanding with one another,” he said. “We came into this game knowing we’d have to withstand some pressure and that’s what we did. It shows you have to be smart in these kind of games.”

As the conference’s bottom-dwellers, winless VCU put in a spirited performance that showed just how strong the CAA is. “They’ve got to be the best 0-4 team in the nation, and I mean that sincerely,” Heaney said. “It shows that these are all difficult games.”

The Seahawks will return to action Sunday, Oct. 18 when they put their undefeated conference record on the line at six-placed Towson. They will return home Wednesday, Oct. 21 when they face a crucial match-up with William & Mary.