NEWARK, Del. - - Saint Rose broke a 1-1 tie in the 85th minute to upend the Wilmington University women's soccer team, 2-1, in the 2017 season opener on Thursday night at Sullivan Field.
After letting up an early goal, the Wildcats' (0-1) defense had a bend but don't break mentality, as they were outshot, 18-3, for the contest. All three of the Wildcats' shots were on frame, however, with one being the equalizer in the 31st minute.
The Golden Knights (1-0) broke the ice in the 14th minute, but Loran Wyrough tucked home a through ball in the 31st minute to knot the score, 1-1. Krysta Memis played a through ball that Wyrough was able to get on the end of, beating the keeper on the left side for the first goal of the Wildcats' season.
Wyrough put the first shot of the second half on frame, but St. Rose's Marika Laurendeau was able to record the stop to keep it even. Memis was then able to get another shot on the board for the Wildcats in the 65th minute, but Laurendeau again came up with the save.
The shots were all Saint Rose from there on out. The Golden Knights had the next six shots of the half, with the seventh breaking the 1-1 tie in the 85th minute. Getting on the end of a deflection from a corner kick, the Golden Knights' Roxana Hernandez put the home team in front, 2-1, late in the game.
The Wildcats' Kierstyn Williams recorded six saves on the night for the Wildcats while Laurendeau finished with two stops.
The Wildcats make their 2017 home debut on Saturday when they host Roberts Wesleyan at the WU Athletics Complex. The women's game will start a triple-header of soccer games in Newark with an 11:00 a.m. start.
