GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - - A pair of second-half goals by Manuela Restrepo carried the Wilmington University women's soccer team to a 2-0 season-opening victory over Adelphi on Thursday night at Motamed Field.
Thursday proved to be a rebound for both the Wildcats (1-0) and Manuela Restrepo, as the team wanted to come out and shake the cobwebs off from last season and Restrepo needed to come back from an injury-plagued campaign last year. Both happened.
Adelphi controlled the pace of play and possession in the first half, but the defensive unit of the Wildcats didn't allow a quality chance in the first 45 minutes. Adelphi led, 5-4, in shots in the first half, but each team only put two on frame.
After winning the ball back in the offensive third, the Wildcats pushed down the middle of the defense. Sammie Bennett chipped the ball into the box and Evelyn Payne was first to it. Her initial shot was blocked, but Manuela Restrepo was there to collect the rebound and blast it to the upper left corner for the 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
Evelyn Payne was in the middle of the second goal as well, winning the ball in the defensive third before racing forward. She received the ball back from Sharon Freire Omonigho and took on the two center backs. She split the two, got into the box, and then was fouled, creating a penalty opportunity for Restrepo. Restrepo buried the chance to make it 2-0 for the Wildcats in the 69th minute.
Mio Nakajima was called on to make a diving save from distance with 14 minutes left and another with three minutes to play but was up to the task of keeping the clean sheet.
Adelphi led in shots, 18-8, but shots on goal were only 8-5 in favor of the Panthers. Mio Nakajima made all eight saves.
It is only the second time the Wildcats have bested the Panthers, both times on Adelphi's home field. It is the first time they've scored multiple goals against the perennial regional powers.
The Wildcats close the opening weekend with a game on Saturday against Bentley again hosted by Adelphi. The opening whistle is set for 4:00 p.m.