WEST CHESTER, Pa. - - It took until the final minute of regulation, but the Wilmington University women's soccer team broke through and earned a 1-1 tie on the road at West Chester University on Wednesday afternoon.
It not only was the equalizer that forced the game into overtime, but the game-tying goal was the first shot of the match for the Wildcats (1-1-1). The Golden Rams (1-1-1), ranked No. 9 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason National Poll, got off the first 18 shots of the match before the equalizer with 58 seconds to play.
After a scoreless first half, West Chester got on the board with their sixth shot of the second half. A shot from the right side by Nikki Zaso put the home team ahead, 1-0, in the 58th minute.
The Golden Rams continued to put the pressure on after the goal, marking the next six shots of the match. But the Wildcats hung tough to keep it a 1-0 game until the 90th minute.
Preslie Quaranta played a ball into the box that eventually found the feet of redshirt senior Loran Wyrough. Wyrough touched it home to knot the score at 1-1 with 58 seconds showing on the scoreboard. Neither team recorded shot the rest of regulation.
The momentum briefly swung into favor of the Wildcats as Wyrough put the next shot on target to start the overtime period as well. But her shot was saved by Golden Ram keeper Brooke Myers in the 94th minute. The Golden Rams had five shots and four corners in the extra periods, but couldn't solve Kierstyn Williams any more.
Williams made 11 stops in goal for the Wildcats by Myers only made the one stop in overtime for the home team. The Golden Rams outshot the Wildcats 23-2, including 10-1 in corner kick opportunities.
The Wildcats return to action on Sunday when they begin Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action against Felician at the WU Athletics Complex. The women start a CACC doubleheader with their match at 12:00 p.m.