NEWARK, Del. - - Junior Shelby Schneeweis and the Wilmington University women's soccer team tried to make another late comeback on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex, but ran out of gas and fell to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference foe Dominican, 2-1, on Senior Day.
The Wildcats (5-7-1, 5-4-1 CACC) received a goal in the 80th minute after being down 2-0, but unlike on Tuesday when Wilmington was down 3-0 with 12 minute remaining and was able to come all the way for a double overtime victory, Dominican (6-3-3, 6-2-1 CACC) held on down the stretch for the road victory.
The Chargers were able to get on the board in the first half, as a long lofted shot from far out by Olivia Antonopoulos snuck under the crossbar and behind Wildcats' goalkeeper Julia Brown for a goal in the 18th minute.
After holding that same score through the halftime break, the Chargers again came out early in the second half and put another goal on the board, this time off a cross from the right side to the back post. An unmarked Danielle Klecha redirected the cross from Jennifer Becker under Brown and into the back of the net for the 2-0 lead in the 51st minute.
The Wildcats were finally able to get on the board on their fifth corner kick of the match in the 80th minute. Following a scramble in the box off a corner by Victoria Vasapolli, the ball popped out to the 18-yard box and to the foot of Scheeweis. The junior transfer was able to put a good boot on the ball, firing a high shot that made its way through the defense and into the back of the net at the 79:30 mark. It was Schneeweis' first goal as a Wildcat.
But the Wildcats were only able to record one more shot in the final 10 minutes of action, a shot by Kim Richer which Charger goalkeeper Gina Yannette was able to save at the 86:50 mark. Dominican held on for the 2-1 victory.
The Chargers led the Wildcats, 13-10, on shots in the match, but the Wildcats were able to earn more corners, 5-1, than the visiting Chargers. Yannette made five saves in goal for the Chargers while Brown made six stops for the Wildcats.
Prior to the game, six Wilmington University seniors were honored as today was their final weekend regular season home game in their collegiate careers. Rachel Burley, Chelsea Grace, Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins, Sarah Lindler, Jenna Quaranta, and Monica Weil have helped the Wildcats to 38 wins in four year, 30 of which came in the CACC. They also helped the program to the 2010 and 2012 CACC Regular Season Championship, as well as the program's first CACC Tournament Championship in 2012.
The Wildcats return to action at the WU Athletics Complex on Tuesday for their final home game of the season. The team hosts LIU Post for a nonconference match starting at 3:30 p.m.