Press Release Written by Assistant Athletic Director Erin Harvey.
NEWARK, Del. - - After a road game to start the season, the women's soccer team was glad to return to the friendly confines of the WU Athletics Complex, where they shut out the visiting Redhawks of Roberts Wesleyan University by a score of 1-0 and earned their first victory of the 2017 season.
Wilmington (1-1) put the pressure on early to start the game, but were unable to break through as Roberts Wesleyan goalkeeper Kelsey Brinkel turned both shots away. For the half, the Wildcats held a 4-1 shot advantage and both sides headed into the locker room scoreless.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, the Cats finally got on the board as freshman Jessica Unsihuay netted her first collegiate goal. She took a cross from the left corner off the foot of graduate student Preslie Quaranta and bodied it down into the back of the net.
The Redhawks (1-1) best chance to tie the game both came off headers. One was immediately following the Wildcats' goal, while the other was with just under 10 minutes remaining in regulation. Wilmington keeper, senior Kierstyn Williams handled both easily and preserved the shutout for the hosts.
Shots for the game were 12-7 in favor of the Wildcats, while the home team held the advantage in corner kicks as well, 6-4. Williams recorded five saves in the shutout victory, and Brinkel turned away eight shots for Roberts Wesleyan.
Wilmington returns to the pitch on Wednesday afternoon, as they travel to take on the ninth ranked Golden Rams of West Chester University in a non-conference matchup beginning at 3:30 PM.