The Wilson Bruins played some of their best soccer this year on Friday afternoon against the Lakewood Lancers and walked away with a 2-0 victory. Lancer goalkeeper Evan McCarty was under duress all game long and made some solid saves to keep it 0-0 at the half, but the Bruins broke through with two goals in a second half where they earned seven corner kicks.

An abundance of whistles from the head referee helped Lakewood slow the Wilson offensive attack down.  They used the resulting free kicks to retreat the Bruin back line, but only had a few good chances in the game.

“Defense played hard,” said Lakewood coach James Cross.  “We need some one to put it in the back of the net so we have something to defend.”

Early in the second half with the score knotted at zero and Wilson continuing to put pressure on, it looked like a second straight draw at home could really hinder the Bruins chances at a Moore League crown.  But in the 57th minute on the eighth corner of the game Ricardo Alvarado sent a nice ball over everyone.  Midfielder Spencer Hungerford chased it down and lifted a looping cross to the back post where Bryan Arguello put it in with his left foot.

In the 78th minute, substitutes Clay Santelman and Marin Alexis combined for the late goal.  Santelman put a cracking shot wide left of goal and Alexis was there to one touch it to the right post for the 2-0 lead.

“We played our best game of the year by far,” said Wilson coach Mark Hervin, who told his team after the game that they needed to, “realize we’re onto something.”

The Millikan Rams spent their bye in the stands watching the Wilson/Lakewood derby.  The Bruin victory sets up a match for first place between Wilson and Millikan next Wednesday at Millikan in what is sure to be a physical classic.