VIRGINIA BEACH -- Something had to give.

One scoring chance after another came up short for the Virginia Wesleyan College men's soccer team Saturday, before senior Brian Cornell changed the pattern.

The senior from Front Royal (Warren County)angled in from the left to rip a shot into the right side of the net in the 81st minute, lifting the Marlins to a thrilling 1-0 victory over Guilford College on Foster Field at the Trinder Center.

A large Homecoming and Parents Weekend crowd saw the Marlins (7-4, 3-2) dominate the competition, producing an offensive attack that kept the pressure on the Quakers (4-5-1, 2-3) from start to finish. But, Guilford was able to survive the attack which produced shots that hit the crossbar, the post, and others that missed the goal by inches.

Cornell scored his sixth goal of the season however, finding the opening for the shot. Robert Holschuh (Eagle, Wis./Milwaukee Pius XI) was credited with the assist on the score.

Virginia Wesleyan outshot Guilford 15-7 in the second half and finished with a 25-10 advantage overall. Both teams recorded four corner kicks.

Connor Kirkham (Centerville/Chantilly Westfield)recorded three saves for VWC. Michael MacVane (Hampton Falls, N.H./Winnacunnet) recorded nine saves for Guilford.

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in non-conference action at North Carolina Wesleyan College beginning at 4 p.m.

--AMDG--