Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. - Freshman Andrew Cooper's goal was the difference as an outstanding LVC defense shut out Wilkes, 1-0, in the 2009 home opener at Herbert Field.

Senior Andrew Raudensky made 13 saves, including several spectacular stops late in the game, to earn the clean sheet for the Dutchmen (3-1-1), who repelled 21 Wilkes (2-3-0) shots overall.

Cooper converted a cross from Eric Woods in the 41st minute, launching his shot from the top of the box and past Wilkes 'keeper Kaleb Smith.

Both sides had good scoring chances in the second half, first when Chris Hall bent a shot wide with just Smith to beat, and then when Wilkes' Joe Brennan forced a point-blank save by Raudensky later in the half.

The final 15 minutes were a battle as the Colonels searched for the equalizer, and they nearly had it in the 77th minute when Saidu Barrie put a dribbler across the face of goal that Raudensky had to race back to save.

Wilkes came agonizingly close to leveling the game late, with Patrick McDonald forcing another close save off a corner in the 87th minute, and Troy Gibson finding the right post with an open shot two minutes from time.

Wilkes held a 21-15 shots advantage, while LVC led 5-4 on corners. LVC was whistled offsides six times.

LVC will be home again Wednesday in the second game of a four-date homestand, hosting Immaculata.