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NEWARK, Del. - - Two first half goals brought sunshine to the Wilmington University women's soccer team on an otherwise miserable afternoon, defeating Caldwell, 2-0, on Sunday at the WU Athletics Complex.
Playing in a steady downfall, the Wildcats (2-3-1, 1-0 CACC) carried their momentum from Wednesday night's victory over a nationally ranked team, coming out and scoring two goals in the first 31 minutes. They held Caldwell to just six shots to record their first shutout of the season.
Both teams were feeling each other out the first 20 minutes, with the bulk of the play in the middle of the field. The Wildcats were able to get into the attacking third with 23 minutes to play, as Emily Navarrete found Hannah Osbourne in the box. Her cross went through the hands of the keeper and Jhanae Colston was first to the ball. She played it back to Emilie Larsen who took a shot from 16 yards out that found the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats were moving the ball forward again with 15 minutes left in the half. Jhanae Colston got in front of her defender and picked up a foul about 35 yards away from goal. Samantha Emmi stepped to the ball and went over top of everyone, hitting the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
Out of the halftime break, the Cougars controlled most of the possession in the early going of the second half, but never found the final third of the field. The Wildcats put seven shots on the board in the second half and held on for the 2-0 victory.
Caldwell earned more corners in the game, 3-2, but the Wildcats outshot the Cougars, 12-6, including 7-1 in the second half. Mio Nakajima made three saves for her first career shutout.
The Wildcats look to carry their momentum into their midweek game, as they head to Chestnut Hill for a game under the lights on Tuesday night. The opening whistle is set for 7:00 p.m. in Philadelphia.
