WATERBURY, Conn. - - A ricochet goal in the 65th minute was enough for third seeded Jefferson to overtake the fourth seeded Wilmington University women's soccer team, 2-0, in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship match on Sunday morning at LaMoy Field on the campus of Post University.
The Rams (12-5-1) added a late goal while the Wildcats (12-5-3) were pushing forward to capture their third straight CACC Tournament Championship (2019, Spring 2021, and 2021).
The Wildcats were competing in their third CACC Tournament Championship and their first since 2017. They won their one and only CACC Tournament Championship in 2012.
The Wildcats' best opportunity in the first half came in the 22nd minute on the back end of a corner kick. Manuela Restrepo played the ball back into the box and it deflected right to Garcia Risoto on the left side. But as she stepped into the shot, a Jefferson defender came over and blocked her attempt, not allowing the ball to get to goal.
The Wildcats outshot the Rams, 8-7, in the first half, surviving a late flurry of attacks from the Rams as Emily Camp punched one ball up and over the crossbar for a nice save.
The Wildcats had a couple of opportunities early in the second half, but shots from Jimena Garcia Risoto and Krysta Memis sailed high, and other set play off a corner led to a shot form Kasie Lambert, but she put it above the bar in the 57th minute as well. Krysta Memis had another chance in the 61st minute, but her low shot just missed the frame to the right side, and the Wildcats remained scoreless.
But then the Rams converted on their next chance in the 65th minute. Emma Kuciapinski was sprung loose down the middle. Emily Camp came out and was able to get to the ball first on a slide, but the ball bounced up and ricocheted off Kuciapinski and bounced into the back of the net.
Emily Camp would make four more saves along the way to keep the Wildcats in the contest, but they could never find that final touch on the offensive end to really threaten Liv Riddel and the Rams. Then the Rams tacked on another goal in the 89th minute with the Wildcats pressing forward.
The Rams ended up outshooting the Wildcats, 18-15, in the match, taking more corners as well, 5-2. Emily Camp recorded eight saves in the loss.
With the Win, Jefferson earns the CACC's automatic bid into the NCAA DII East Regional Tournament beginning next weekend.
Following the game, the Wildcat's Jimena Garcia Risoto, Lauren Hoelke, Samantha Emmi, and Kasie Lambert were recognized for being named to the CACC All-Tournament Team.
