WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Penn College backed up a first half goal with solid defense en route to a 1-0 win over Wilkes University in a non-conference men's soccer match Wednesday. The Wildcats won their second-straight game to improve to 8-7-1, while the Colonels fell to 7-9-1.

Chris McFarland's cross found Vance Gradwell's head in the 20^th minute to give Penn College an early 1-0 advantage. Penn College's defense tightened up and did not allow a shot on frame the remainder of the first half.

The Wildcats kept the offensive pressure high early in the second half with a pair of shots on frame in the opening eight minutes of the final half. Wilkes countered in the ensuing 20 minutes with three shots on goal but Hunter Gosnell (6 saves) was up to task, stopping all three attempts.

Penn College's biggest stopped came in the 76^th minute when a header attempt from Wilkes was cleared off the line by Daniel Jackson to keep the lead.

The Wildcats missed on two chance late in the contest when McFarland missed the left side of the frame in the 79^th minute and later had a blast stopped by a diving save in the 88^th minute.

Penn College wraps up the regular season Saturday, 3 p.m., hosting Penn State Berks.