EDWARDSVILLE - Despite a career-best 12 saves from Nick Kinzler (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial), the Catholic University Cardinals bested the Wilkes men's soccer team 4-1 at Bruggeworth Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
With the loss the Colonels drop to 3-7-5 overall and 1-5-2 in conference play, while Catholic improve to 9-5-2, and remain unbeaten in conference play at 6-0-2.
 
The Cardinals got the scoring started early as Gordie Bernlohr's first shot of the game ended up in the back of the net with just 1:36 on the clock. Bernlohr scored again after receiving a great through ball from Ryan Kelly at 25:45 to make it a 2-0 contest.
 
With less than ten minutes left in the half, the Colonels put themselves on the scoresheet after a cross from Herbert Ramirez (Highstown, NJ/Highstown) found the head of Xavier Guerreiro (Newtown, PA/Council Rock North), but it was first year forward Landon Kelly (Marcellus, NY/Marcellus Senior High School) who helped the ball across the line with a header of his own at 38:25 to register his first collegiate goal and make it a 2-1 game going into halftime.
 
Once again the Cardinals found the back of the net not long after kickoff, as Ryan Bradby rifled home the rebound after a save by Nick Kinzler (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) at 48:05 to make it a 3-1 game.
 
The Colonels' best chance of the second half came at 51:57, as a Ramirez line drive shot beat the goalkeeper but hit the right woodwork, and Guerreiro's follow up shot on net was just wide to the right. Catholic made them pay for not finishing that challenge, as Domenico Caltabiano finished a one-two with Ryan Kelly to put the dagger in the game at 58:17.
 
Catholic outshot the Colonels on the day 28-6, but Kinzler remained an ever-present force in net for Wilkes. His new career-best with 12 saves on the day broke a record he matched earlier this year against Swarthmore with 10. Kelly and Ramirez led the Colonels with two shots each.
 
Bernlohr was the top goalscorer for Catholic with two, and Ryan Kelly led the team with two assists. Caltabiano led the Cardinals with four shots. In goal, Owen Allegro made two saves.
 
Next up for the Colonels is Goucher College in the final game of the regular season, a clash on Senior Day on Saturday, October 28. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m.