BLOOMFIELD, N.J. - The Bloomfield College men's soccer team played their home opener against the Wildcats of Wilmington University Wednesday night and dropped a 4-3 decision in their first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) game of 2015. The visiting Wildcats (3-0-0, 1-0 CACC) held off a late surge by the Bears (0-2-1, 0-1 CACC) after trailing 2-1 at the half. Bloomfield squandered many opportunities to put points on the board, out-shooting Wilmington 10-7 in shots on goal but it was not meant to be with the visitors scoring three in the second half in the win.

Clifford Nwechefom gave the Wildcats the first goal of the match after the Bears sophomore keeper, Jovan Stanojkovic (Pancevo, Serbia) committed a costly turnover to the visitors striker that he lobbed right back into the goal in the 35th minute. Bloomfield missed several chances earlier in the period to score first but finally got on the board in the 42nd minute. Junior Shaunavon DeSouza (Montego Bay, Jamaica) tied the game at 1-1, driving in a ball that rebounded off of the Wilmington goalkeeper. Junior Rafique Roberts (Portmore, Jamaica) wasted no time putting the home team in the lead with an unassisted goal in the 44th minute. 

The Bears carried the momentum into the second half and kept pressure on the Wildcats' defense as DeSouza had a breakaway opportunity but Frank Hall came up with a save to keep the Wildcats to within a goal. Wilmington seized control of the match as the tide shifted their way and the Wildcats netted three straight goals, going up 4-2 in the CACC contest.

The Bears continued to fight down the stretch and came to within a goal when DeSouza finished a cross in the box served up by Roberts in the 79th minute to make it 4-3. Bloomfield managed just two more shots during the last 11 minutes but without any results and the nationally ranked visitors escaped with the victory.

DeSouza led all Bears with two scores and five shots on goal on the night while Roberts and junior transfer, Paulo Claudio (San Paulo, Brazil) each added an assist to the Bloomfield effort. Roberts goal in the opening half was his first of the 2015 season. Stanojkovic recorded three saves in net for the Bears before leaving at the 67:45 minute mark of the match. Junior Wilson Cisneros (Bronx, N.Y.) took over the keeping duties but did not record a save in the final 22:15 for the Bears and surrendered one goal.

Bloomfield's next test will come on Saturday, September 12th at 1:30pm when they host the Golden Lions of Dowling College at Foley Field. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, from the Bloomfield College athletic department by liking the Bears on, Facebook and following the Bears on Twitter or Instagram @GO_BCBears. Use the hashtag #BCBears to join the conversation.