NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team dropped a 3-0 match to the Jefferson University Rams this Tuesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The first 13 minutes were all Rams as they had the ball in the Wildcats' defensive third for most of the opening minutes. The Rams recorded three corners and four shots in the first 30 minutes. Mio Nakajima recorded a save in the 29th minute off a shot from Jefferson's Nikki Dedes.
The Rams earned their first goal of the match from a good display of pressure by Laurel Erick, who intercepted the ball from the Wildcat's backline. Erick found an unmarked Avery Nogami to put the Rams up 1-0.
Rockesha Dayes attempted the first shot for the Wildcats in the 36th minute. Dayes made a great effort to get past the Jefferson defender but could not get enough on her shot attempt, as Jefferson's keeper, Jaclyn Martino, made the save.
Samantha Emmi recorded the Wildcat's second shot of the first half from a direct kick earned by Gabbi Corchiani. Emmi's look at goal was from about 25 yards out, but it sailed over the bar high.
The Wildcats went into the half down 1-0, and the Rams held the shot advantage 6-2.
The Wildcats came out of the half with two excellent early chances at goal. In the 48th minute, Samantha Emmi was on the end of another free-kick opportunity. Emmi tested her shot from 30-plus yards out, but Martino again saved it.
The Wildcat's best opportunity in the game came five minutes later as Samantha Emmi quickly restarted play after an offside against Jefferson. Emmi found Alicia Whyte; Whyte played a 30-plus yard ball that found Jhanae Colston, who was making a run left to right across the back line. Colston took two touches into goal and shot the ball with her right foot, but it was met by a foot-save by Martino.
The Rams added an insurance goal in the 64th minute by an excellent cross by Mia Ferrara, and Nikki Dedes caused havoc in the box as Dedes was able to tap in the goal after a missed clearance.
The Rams added another insurance goal in the final four minutes of play as Kiery Spatz blasted a shot from 20 yards out that found the top left corner of the goal. Nakajima stretched out both arms as far as she could and got a touch on the ball, but not enough of a touch as it was deflected into the top corner.
The Wildcats will travel to Bloomfield on Sunday, October 2nd, for another CACC Conference matchup. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.