Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo of Ward taken by James Jones.
NEWARK, Del. - - A late game flurry wasn't enough as the Wilmington University women's soccer team fell to Holy Family, 2-1, in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action on Wednesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The action picked up late in the second half, but the Wildcats (4-4, 3-2 CACC) found themselves down 2-0 and couldn't find the equalizer. The Tigers (5-3-1, 4-0-1 CACC) scored on their first shot of the game and continued to keep the Wildcats deep in their defensive zone until the final 20 minutes of the game.
The Tigers opened the scoring early in the first half on their first opportunity, turning a Wilmington miscue into a goal. The conference's leading goal scorer was able to get in behind the Wildcats defense for a breakaway in the third minute. Rock tallied her eighth goal of the season to give the visitors the early lead.
A set piece goal gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead 14 minutes into the second half as Shannon Metzler headed home a long free kick from the right in front of the visitors' bench by Casey Rodgers.
That is when the Wildcats' offensive pressure picked up, as the Wildcats were able to cut the deficit in half in the 72nd minute. Gabrielle Perry carried the ball across midfield and found herself with three other teammates in a four-on-three situation. She sent an advancing ball to Teigha Ward on the left side and she buried her shot at the 71:51 mark.
Ward had an excellent chance to time the game in the 80th minute, getting her head on the end of a set piece at the back post, but just guided the ball wide. The Wildcats also earned back-to-back corners in the final minute of play, but couldn't register a shot as the final buzzer sounded.
The Wildcats were out shot, 11-5, in the match while starting goalkeeper Kierstyn Williams recorded two saves. Carin Essex-Arline and Loran Wyrough each kept the game were it was by recording defensive saves on the goal line during the match.
Wilmington will look to break its three-game skip when it returns to action on Saturday at CACC foe Post. The opening whistle is slated for 12:00 p.m. in Waterbury, Conn.
