EDWARDSVILLE – Andrew Reichard's (Easton, PA/Easton Area) 66^th-minute goal was all the Wilkes University men's soccer team needed Saturday as it opened Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play with a 1-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham at Bruggeworth Field following a ceremony to honor the 13 seniors in the Navy and Gold..
 
The Colonels now stand at 1-0-0 in conference and 8-2-0 overall following the win.
 
FDU-Florham came inches from opening the scoring in the 26^th minute when it hit the crossbar with a shot from the back line.
 
The Devils again came inches away from getting on the board in the 79^th minute on another shot off the crossbar.
 
Jacob Bausher (Hamburg, PA/Hamburg Area) saw himself with a chance to double the lead in the 80^th minute when his shot beat FDU-Florham's goalkeeper, but a defender was there to keep the attempt clear of the net.
 
Zach Tone (Easton, PA/Easton Area) earned the victory for Wilkes, being called on to make one save.
 
Reichard, Gabriel Nieves (Yorktown Heights, NY/Lakeland Senior), Danny McGinley (Brodheadsville, PA/Pleasant Valley), Bausher, and Xavier Guerreiro (Newtown, PA/Council Rock North) all finished with two shot attempts for the Colonels.
 
Wilkes returns to action on Tuesday when it will host Lycoming College for a 7:00 p.m. MAC Freedom game.