EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University men's soccer team raced out to a 4-0 lead midway through the contest including three unanswered first half goals as the Colonels posted a 4-3 victory over visiting Penn State Berks Thursday night at Bruggeworth Field.
 
Wilkes improved to 1-0 on the season making it the second consecutive year the Colonels have opened the season with a victory.
 
Andrew Reichard (Easton, PA/Easton Area) notched the first goal of the match for Wilkes 2:03 in when he took a pass from Luke Betancourt (Easton, PA/Easton Area) and deposited a shot past the PSU Berks keeper.
 
The lead grew to 2-0 at the 27:40 mark of the first half after Matthew Horwedel (Delanson, NY/Schalmont Senior) took a shot off a free ball that deflected off a PSU Berks defender and into the back of the goal. Three minutes later the Colonels concluded its three goal first half when Xavier Guerreiro (Newtown, PA/Council Rock North) headed home a Herbert Ramirez (Highstown, NJ/Highstown) corner.
 
The Wilkes advantage swelled to 4-0 early in the second half as Nicholas Surgent (Wall. NJ/Wall) scored unassisted.
 
PSU Berks began a valiant comeback attempt late in the second half scoring goals at the 73:10 and 74:06 marks to cut the Wilkes lead to 4-2. One more tally off a free kick brought the visitors to within one with just under five minutes remaining, but the Colonels defense held strong and sealed the non-conference victory not allowing the game-tying tally over the final four minutes.
 
Three different goalies saw time in net for Wilkes as Zach Tone (Easton, PA/Easton Area) started and played 50 minutes of scoreless soccer earning the win.
 
Wilkes returns to action Saturday with a 4:00 p.m. road non-conference match at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.