Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo taken by James Jones.
NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Two first-half goals vaulted Goldey-Beacom past the Wilmington University women's soccer team, 2-1, in the 2016 regular season finale on Wednesday afternoon at the Kirkwood Soccer Club.
The loss drops the Wildcats (10-7, 8-4 CACC) into the fifth seed for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament starting next week while catapulting the Lightning (12-4-1, 8-3-1 CACC) into third place for the CACC Tournament.
Goldey-Beacom started the scoring in the 23rd minute, using a penalty kick opportunity to get on the board first. The Lightning player was fouled in corner of the penalty area, setting up a penalty kick by Amy Runciman. Runciman tried to go high and to Wilmington goalkeeper Kierstyn Williams' left, but the netminder got a hand on the ball that ricocheted off the crossbar and into play. The Lightning's Lauren DeVault raced onto the rebound and one-timed it home for the 1-0 lead.
Ten minutes later, the Lightning expanded the lead on a set piece with a long boot from Becca Cordo. A Wilmington foul put the ball 30 yards out and Cordo found the upper corner at the far post for the 2-0 lead.
The Wildcats led the Lightning, 7-3, in the second half including the first five out of the break. They also had four corners in the second half, but didn't break through until the third corner of the half.
The ball ended up on the other side of the box on a Rebecca Dolhansky corner and Riley Thompson was pulled off the ball to result in a Wilmington penalty kick. Melissa Gall buried the team's first PK of the season, cutting the deficit in half in the 84th minute.
The Wildcats kept the pressure up for the remainder of the game, putting one shot on goal and earning a final corner kick in the last 30 seconds. But a Wilmington foul in the box awarded the Lightning the ball, allowing them to milk the clock the rest of the way.
The Wildcats finished with a 10-8 shots advantage while also earning more corners, 5-3. Williams recorded three saves in the game while the Lightning's Cindell Aguirre recorded three saves for the win.
As the fifth seed, the Wildcats travel to No. 4 Philadelphia in the First Round of the CACC Tournament. The opening round is scheduled for Monday afternoon at Ravenhill Field with a 2:00 p.m. start time.
