Video Recap at Bottom of Release.
Copyright 2016 Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo of Gabby Perry taken by Megan Teat.
NEWARK, Del. - - A pair of second half goals carried the Wilmington University women's soccer team to a 2-0 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over Chestnut Hill at the WU Athletics Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
The ball remained in Chestnut Hill's side of the field for the bulk of the game, resulting in the Wildcats (3-1, 2-0 CACC) out shooting the Griffins (1-3, 0-2 CACC), 18-4. But it was hard to find the finishing touch on Wednesday, as only six of the shots were on frame.
The best chance in the first half came off the foot of Rebecca Dolhansky, as her shot form outside the 18-yard box beat the goalkeeper but glanced off the crossbar and out of play in the 35th minute.
Dolhansky had a say in both the second half goals, however, sending timely through balls down the middle to allow her teammates to get on the end. The first through ball came in the 54th minute, as Dolhansky stole the ball at midfield and slotted Gabrielle Perry down the middle. Perry beat her defender to the ball in the box and beat the goalkeeper to her left for the 1-0 lead.
Dolhansky was at it again in the 76th minute, receiving a ball in her own half after Laura van Steveninck stripped the Griffin of the ball on an attack. Dolhansky took her space before sending a through ball down the middle and past the defense. Kelly Robbins got on the end of it and went one-on-one with the keeper. Her first attempt went off the post, but she stayed with her shot and buried the rebound for her first goal of the year.
Carin Essex-Arline had an opportunity late to add to the lead, but her header off a corner went just high in the 88th minute.
Kierstyn Williams faced four shots but did not need to make a save before giving way to teammate Martina Stewart in the 88nd minute. It is the second shutout of the season for the Wildcats.
It is the first time since the 2012 season that the Wildcats started the CACC portion of the schedule at 2-0.
The Wildcats remain home for their next contest, as they host Bloomfield on Saturday to kick off the 2017 Wilmington University Homecoming festivities. There is still time to purchase a tailgating parking spot by logging on to wilmu.edu/homecoming. The opening whistle for the women's game is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
