WC’s Parker Burke ties program’s single-season scoring record

The Wilmington College men's soccer team took an early lead against the nationally ranked Ohio Northern University Polar Bears Wednesday night but couldn't hold on as the Polar Bears came away with a 6-2 victory.

The game was played at Wright State University due to the ongoing new track project taking place at Wilmington College. The loss drops the Quakers to 11-4-3 overall this season and 4-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC).

Freshman Parker Burke (Xenia, Ohio/Legacy Christian Academy)  scored his 22nd goal of the season in the game, which ties the Quakers’ all-time program record for goals in a single season. He will look to break the record in their final game of the regular season Saturday at Marietta College.

Wilmington struck first in the fourth minute on an interesting play. Ohio Northern tried to clear the ball out of the box, but the kick went right off the head of Quakers captain Alfie Harris. The defense began to get back on their side of the field, but the ball cleared their heads and the keeper's head and found the right foot of Burke for the easy goal and 1-0 lead.

The lead held until the ninth minute where the Polar Bears tied it up and scored twice more in the first half to take a 3-1 lead into the halftime break. Out of the locker room, the Polar Bears scored two more times in the 63rd and 81st minutes for a 5-1 lead.

Wilmington grabbed their final goal of the game in the 86th minute as Kaden Young skied a ball from past midfield to a waiting Randy Harris, who made some nice moves to get past the Ohio Northern defenders and set up a one-on-one chance with the keeper. He sent a rocket into the back of the net.

Notables

• Randy Harris broke into double digits, scoring his 10th goal of the season. He is the lone Quaker to have double digit goals and double-digit assists.

• Alfie Harris picked up his second assist of the season tonight on the Burke goal, while Kaden Young earned his fourth assist of the year on the Randy Harris goal.

• The Quakers took eight shots in the game, with six on goal, and had three corner kick opportunities.

The Quakers’ final regular -eason game comes in Marietta Saturday afternoon against the Marietta College Pioneers at 4:30 p.m.

The Quakers are looking to get payback for their 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Pioneers last season.

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