Press Release written by Mitchell Coll
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team upset the No. 15 ranked Molloy College Lions, 2-1, in a nonconference matchup. The Wildcats earn their first win of the season with goals from Gabbi Corchiani and Jhanae Colston.
The win was the second win over a nationally ranked opponent in program history. The only other time the Wildcats beat a ranked opponent came on October 19, 2017, when they beat No. 6 Adelphi, 1-0.
The first half of action was played mostly in Wilmington's defensive-third. However, 19 minutes into the half Wilmington earned a throw-in around the middle of the field. This set-up a nice display of ball movement throughout the midfield, as Hannah Osborne, Julia Yuhase and Emilie Larsen all connected on one to two touch passes, then the ball found Gabbi Corchiani's feet. Corchiani settled the ball with her left foot and then fired a shot from 35 yards out with her right foot that snuck under the crossbar. Corchiani a redshirt freshman, scored her first career goal as a Wildcat. The Wildcats found themselves up 1-0 on one shot on goal in the first half.
Molly had opportunities in the first half at goal with seven shots and two corners. Mio Nakajima stopped the Lions' one shot on goal in the first half. Nakajima was able to save a shot, that was low on the ground about ten yards out from the left side. The Wildcats' defense was also coming up big with three blocked shots of their own in the first half.
The Lions kept the offensive pressure on early to start the second half. They quickly recorded two shots five minutes into the second half. The first shot was saved by Nakajima and the second shot was off the mark and high. The Lions earned their third corner of the game in the 54th minute and converted a goal to tie the game 1-1.
In the 64th minute Ashante Wilson-Campbell saw an opportunity at net, but her shot was saved by Molloy's keeper Shannon Killan. Samantha Emmi kept the pressure on with a shot in the 75th minute. Annie Holst had an opportunity in the 78th minute, but her shot was saved.
In the 80th minute the Wildcats finally broke through and took back the lead. Jhanae Colston joined the freshman scoring party, as she notched her first career goal as a Wildcat, off an assist by junior Samantha Emmi. Colston also notches her first career game-winning goal. The goal gave the Wildcats the 2-1 lead, as they were able to hold off the Lions' last two opportunities in the final 10 minutes to win the contest.
The Lions outshot the Wildcats 15 to 6. Both teams were tied on shots on goal with four, as Nakajima was able to make three saves in net and the defense came up with four blocked shots.
The Wildcats will travel back to Newark, Delaware to play in their first CACC Conference matchup of the year as they host the Caldwell Cougars on Sunday at 12:00 PM.