NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team got in the win column on Saturday, using Rachel Burley's goal in the first half to carry the team to a 1-0 victory over Felician College in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action at the WU Athletics Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in 2013, the Wildcats (1-3, 1-2 CACC) picked up their first goal of the year, as well as their first victory, getting on the board in the 40th minute after consistent offense pressure.
Felician (1-2, 0-1 CACC), playing with 10 players following a straight red card in the 34th minute, held strong on the defensive side of the ball, and even put a scare to the Wildcats in the waning moments with pressure in the offensive third. The Golden Falcons were able to get two shots off in the second half, the final coming in the 88th minute from 25 yards out that sailed high.
The Wildcat goal came from an unlikely of sources, as the senior captain Burley timed her first career goal perfectly to put the home team on the board.
On the team's second corner of the first half, Sara Eggert and Jenna Quaranta played a quick, short corner to get the ball back in play. Quaranta maneuvered her way to the end line, putting a cross to the middle of the goal on the eight yard line. After a short scrum, Burley fired a shot in on goal, but Felician goalkeeper Julia Sheridan was able to record the save.
The rebound bounced right back to Burley, however, as she lofted a side volley up and over the down keeper, giving the Wildcats the 1-0 lead at the 39:30 mark of the match.
Although playing with a woman advantage, the Wildcats were unable to increase the lead in the second half, even with putting seven shots on the board. Sheridan was able to make eight saves in goal to keep Felician in the contest.
Senior Monica Weil tallied a game high five shots for the Wildcats, two of which were on frame. Burley recorded three shots, all of which were on frame, including the back-to-back shots that resulted in the goal. Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins, Victoria Vasapolli, Sarah Lindler, Rebecca Sowers, and Shelby Schneeweis had one shot each to round out the Wildcat shooting.
Junior goalkeeper Julia Brown made two stops in goal for the Wildcats, picking up her first win and shutout in a Wilmington uniform.
The Wildcats return to the road for their next two contests, as they head to Bridgeport and Concordia at the end of next week before coming back to the WU Athletics Complex. Their next action at home is against crosstown rival Goldey-Beacom on September 25 starting at 3:30 p.m.