SPARKILL, N.Y. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team scored a pair of goals in the first 10 minutes on its way to its fourth straight victory, a 5-0 road win at St. Thomas Aquinas on Wednesday afternoon at Spartan Field.
During the four-game winning streak, the Wildcats (6-2-2) have scored 18 goals, averaging 4.5 goals per game while only allowing four total goals.
Wednesday started in the fifth minute, as the Wildcats got on the board early against the Spartans (2-7-1). Manuela Restrepo eventually controlled a throw-in and played Sharon Freire Omonigho into space down the middle. Omonigho beat the keeper to her right for the game's opening goal just 4:14 into the match.
Manuela Restrepo was in the middle of the second goal as well, as she again played a ball forward down the middle of the field. Julia Yuhase was on the chase, beating two Spartan defenders and the drawn-out goalkeeper to the ball atop the 18-yard box. Yuhase kneed it past the goalie and the Wildcats led, 2-0, just 7:18 into the match.
The forward pressure led to the Wildcats' third goal of the first 15 minutes, with Manuela Restrepo again leading the charge. Omonigho intercepted a ball in the attacking third and quickly found Restrepo. Manuela Restrepo played it to the other side of the box and for the third time, a Wildcat was able to beat the Spartan goalkeeper to the ball. This time it was Evelyn Payne who redirected the ball on goal and snuck it inside the post for the 3-0 lead just 14:49 into the match.
The Wildcats picked up one more before half, as Amelia Aquino scored her collegiate career first goal in the 39th minute. Manuela Restrepo was played into the corner with room. She found Sammie Bennett at the near post, but her initial shot was saved. The rebound bounced to Aquino on the back post who tapped it in for her first goal and the 4-0 lead.
Brianna Wons capped the scoring with a goal in the second half, sending in a direct kick from 40 yards out. The ball bounced in the box through traffic, missing everyone and finding the back of the net for the 5-0 lead in the 80th minute.
The Wildcats outshot the Spartans, 17-6, including 11-1 in the first half to set the tone. Mio Nakajima made four saves in goal for her third shutout of the season.
The Wildcats return home for their next two matches, continuing Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play on Saturday afternoon. They welcome Bridgeport to the WU Athletics Complex in a matchup of two regionally ranked teams. The opening whistle is set for 12:00 p.m.