Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Essex-Arline against Bloomfield, taken by James Jones.
WATERBURY, Conn. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team rebounded and snapped a three-match losing streak with a clutch Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory at Post, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at LaMoy Field.
The Wildcats (5-4, 4-2 CACC) got back in the win column with a pair of first half goals, widening the margin to two goals once again with an early goal in the second half. Post (3-5, 3-3 CACC) cut the deficit to a single goal just 2:23 into the second half, but the Wildcats held on for the conference win.
The visitors had four corners in the first half, but it wasn't until the final one where they were able to find the back of the net. Rebecca Dolhansky sent the ball into the box and found the head of Carin Essex-Arline for the 1-0 lead at the 36:24 mark.
Less than three minutes later the Wildcats took a 2-0 advantage, this time Dolhansky being the beneficiary of a nice pass. Teigha Ward found Dolhansky and she was able to put the Wildcats up, 2-0, with her first goal of the year at the 39:06 mark.
The Wildcats had the first two shots of the second half, but it was the Eagles that got on the board to cut the deficit in half. A long ball over the top beat Wilmington net minder Kierrstyn Williams just 2:23 in the half.
But the Wildcats kept the pressure on the Eagles, offering up the next shot in the game and the first corner of the half. The set piece off the corner was working for the Wildcats on Saturday, as Essex-Arline flicked on a corner kick from Dolhansky to the back post, finding Laura van Steveninck for the insurance goal at the 55:33 mark.
The Eagles had an opportunity in the 63rd minute, but Williams saved the first shot before the rebound chance sailed high. The Wildcats' Valerie Bragg nearly made it a three-goal advantage in the 70th minute, but her shot hit the crossbar and stayed out.
The Wildcats out shot the Eagles, 15-10, for the match while also earning more corners, 7-3. Williams recorded five saves for the Wildcats while the Eagles' goalkeeper made five stops as well.
The Wildcats remain in CACC play with their next contest, as they host Georgian Court on Tuesday night. The game will be played at Caravel Academy in Bear, Del., with the opening whistle slated for 7:00 p.m.