Campbell’s Ian Rees goes up for a header off a free kick.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
BUIES CREEK — Thibaut Jacquel scored twice, Samuel Lechuga posted his fifth shutout of the season, and Campbell defeated UNC Wilmington 2-0 Wednesday night at the Eakes Athletic Complex.
Campbell (5-2-1) improved to 4-0 at home this year and has not allowed a goal in Buies Creek. CU has won five of its last six matches overall and conceded only one goal in its last 640 minutes.
“Our defense has to be a total team effort,” said Campbell coach Dustin Fonder. “Our back four was strong tonight and Sam came up big when we needed him. We have a tremendous amount of respect for UNCW. They are well-coached and always one of the best teams in the region.”
Just two minutes after Lechuga’s reaction save on a Mason Schuster header kept the game scoreless, Campbell went in front on Jacquel’s fourth goal of the season – and third from the penalty spot. Jalen James dribbled across the area and was fouled by Drew Rabil. Jacquel sent UNCW keeper Gabriel Perrotta the wrong way to put the Camels ahead 1-0.
A dangerous cross from Colton Pleasants found Gabriel Cabral’s head in the 81st minute, but Lechuga was in position to make the stop without leaving his feet.
UNCW had one final chance in the 90th minute on a free kick after Moses Mensah was booked near midfield. However, Jacquel ran on to Mensah’s long clearance and dribbled by Perrotta for a match-clinching, empty net goal with just 15 seconds to play.
Jacquel equaled his career high of two goals – in a win last season at USC Upstate – on just three shots Wednesday night.
“Thibaut needed to work harder and be tougher in the first half, and we challenged him at halftime to do just that,” said Fonder. “To his credit, he came out in the second half, responded and played much better.”
Against a team that has advanced to the last two NCAA College Cup tournaments, Campbell finished with a 14-8 edge in shots, while both teams had five on target. The Camels took seven corner kicks to just a pair for the visitors.
Campbell has allowed only 16 shots on goal over the last seven outings and Lechuga lowered his goals-against average to 0.73. UNCW suffered its first shutout of the year and saw its four-match unbeaten (3-0-1) string halted. CU improved to 5-0 when scoring first and has not surrendered a lead this year.
The first half produced several chances, but no goals. In the 26th minute, UNCW had an indirect free kick from about 17 yards in front of goal after Lechuga handled a back pass. However, Danny Reynolds’ shot hit the Camel wall and was cleared.
Twice in the early stages of the final period, the Camels saw chances to grab the lead go unrewarded. Ian Rees’ free header off Adrian Morales’ serve stayed narrowly wide of the left post in the 58th minute. About four minutes later, Alemu Mercer-Miko struck a well-timed volley off a Franck Momo cross, but right into the arms of Perrotta at the back stick.
The Camels begin their defense of the Big South Conference title Saturday at home against Radford (7 p.m.).
“Now conference play starts and Radford has been resting after not playing a midweek match, while we just played a war tonight,” said Fonder. “We’ve just got to rest and rejuvenate and get ready for Saturday.”
(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)
Bissafi Dotte elevates for a header for the Camels.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Thibault Jacquel scores on a penalty kick for the Camels.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Samuel Lechuga rises for a save for Campbell in a 2-0 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Thibault Jacquel gets his second goal of the game for the Camels.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
