Three second half goals lead the Wilmington University women's teams to a 4-0 victory over Concordia on Homecoming Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex, giving the team its first victory of the season.
The Wildcats (1-4, 1-2 CACC) led 1-0 at the halftime break of Concordia (0-3-1, 0-3 CACC), but used a pair of goal from freshman Carin Essex-Arline in the second half to propel the Wildcats to the shutout victory.
Shelby Schneeweis put the Wildcats on the board halfway through the first half, finishing a cross from Loran Wyrough in the 26th minute. Sitting on the back post, Schneeweis put in her first goal of the season with a header after Wyrough sent a ball across from the end line.
The Wildcats continued to put the pressure all throughout the first half, outshooting the Clippers, 9-3, in the first half, and 11-4 in the second half. Essex-Arline put her first goal into the back of the net in the 60th minute, getting the rebound off a saved ball from Schneeweis. Essex-Arline was on the back post as the ball came right to her foot for the open goal.
Ashley Kroll moved the lead to 3-0 with a goal in the 63rd minute, receiving a through ball into the box from Jessica Carpenter. Kroll sent a rocket shot over Concordia keeper Samantha Street and just under the crossbar for her first goal of the season.
Essex-Arline finished off an outstanding connecting build up from midfield by Kim Richer and Rebecca Prentice. A give-and-go with Prentice and Richer ended with a through ball from Richer to Essex-Arline at the top of the box. Essex-Arline one-timed the ball and slid it under the out-coming Street for her second goal in less than 10 minutes.
Wilmington outshot the Clippers, 20-7, for the match and attempted three more corners, 6-3, for the match.
Street had an outstanding afternoon for the Clippers despite the score, making seven saves, including a few from point blank range, to keep the Clippers in the contest throughout the first half.
Julia Brown recorded six saves for the Wildcats, but was never truly tested throughout the match as the Wildcats defense held most shots from long range by the Clipper offense.
The Wildcats return to action on Tuesday at the WU Athletics Complex when they face Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference foe Chestnut Hill. The opening tap is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.