Press Release Written by Mitchell Coll
NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team dropped a closely contested match to the Dominican University Chargers, 2-1, in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference matchup this Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The first half action was held scoreless for 44 minutes, thanks to big saves on both sides for Wilmington and Dominican. The Wildcats had two great opportunities before breaking through in the 44th minute. In the eighth minute, Emilie Larsen had a good look at the goal on the right side and six yards out. However, Dominican's keeper Stella Paton made a quick reaction save with her feet that bounced back right to Larsen's feet, and her second attempt went wide.
In the 28th minute, Jhanae Colston had a great opportunity at goal with a 1v1 chance with the keeper. Julia Yuhase played a great ball over the top to Colston, and her shot was just wide right.
In the 37th minute, Dominican's Kaitlyn Zeeb broke through the back line of Wilmington. Mio Nakajima came off her line to make the crucial 1v1 save to keep the game even.
In the 44th minute, Hannah Osborne was on the corner kick duties for the Wildcats on the left side. Osborne swung in the ball with her left, which found Samantha Emmi, who was making a run to the far post. Emmi tracked the ball and scored off a one-time header. The Wildcats went into the locker room up 1-0.
To start the second half, the Wildcats had offensive pressure early with two chances from Jhanae Colston and Emilie Larsen. Gabbi Corchiani found Colston making a run on the left side, and Colston couldn't get enough on the ball. Larsen was fed the ball over the top on the right side. Larsen struck a bouncing ball with her laces that beat the keeper but hit the crossbar in the 48th minute.
The Chargers scored the equalizer in the 55th minute off a corner on the left side. The Chargers started with multiple runners around the 18 and then made runs to the net. Dominican's Danai Chimedza finished off the corner with a header that found the back of the net.
After the Chargers scored in the 56th minute, they put pressure on Nakajima again. However, Nakajima quickly jumped off her line to make another 1v1 save. The Wildcats had an opportunity right after in the 57th minute with Larsen taking a shot from 20-plus yards out but was met by a diving save.
In the 72nd minute, the Chargers were able to build from the back. The Chargers were on a quick counterattack as they crossed in a ball, and Dominican's Kaitlyn Zeeb was free in the box due to the Wildcats believing Zeeb was offsides. The referee thought otherwise as Zeeb tapped in the goal to put the Chargers up 2-1.
Samantha Emmi tried her luck in the 81st minute off a free kick about 35 yards out. However, her shot was saved by the Dominican's keeper Stella Paton. The last opportunity the Wildcats had was in the 85th minute with a shot by Emilie Larsen. Larsen hit a one-time ball from a deflection from the Charger's defense that went just wide left.
Dominican led in shots, 18-12, but the Wildcats earned more corners in the match, 4-3. Mio Nakajima made eight saves for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats will be back in action next Saturday, September 24th, when they face off against Post University at 1:00 PM for Homecoming.
