BLOOMFIELD, N.J. - - Preslie Quaranta's strike into the upper right hand corner from 15 yards out sent the Wilmington University women's soccer team to a 3-2 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory at Bloomfield on Saturday afternoon at Foley Field.
Playing their fourth game in seven days, the Wildcats (4-2-1, 3-0 CACC) pulled out the CACC victory to finish a tough week on top, 3-1. The Bears (1-4, 0-4 CACC) powered back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game in the first half, but couldn't find the back of the net in the second half.
The Wildcats started quickly on Saturday, as Loran Wyrough put in her team leading fourth goal of the season in the seventh minute. Alexa Smalley played a ball over the top, allowing Wyrough to run through the back line and in on the goalkeeper all alone. Wyrough slotted in the goal for the 1-0 lead just 6:08 into the match.
The Wildcats were at it again in the 13th minute, as Quaranta weaved her way down the right side to the endline. Her low cross found Krysta Memis on the back post all alone, as she one-timed it home for the 2-0 lead just 12:47 into the contest.
But the Bears didn't back down in the first half, as they capitalized on a pair of Wildcat mistakes to tie the game. Wilmington net minder Kierstyn Williams came out of the box for a 50-50 ball, but her clear went right to the Bears' Brigid Dwyer on the left side. Dwyer's one time from 30 yards out beat Williams back to the goal to close the gap to 2-1 in the 25th minute.
Not even a minute and a half later, the Bears had another opportune moment outside the box. Another misclear on the backline allowed the ball to bounce right to Lisa Parello who ripped a shot from 25 yards out and over Williams. The game was knotted, 2-2, 25:26 into the game.
Bloomfield went into the break with a 8-7 shots advantage, putting four of them on frame.
The second half was all Wilmington.
The Wildcats came out and put 10 shots on the board in the second half, outshooting Bloomfield, 10-2. Quaranta's was the fourth of the second half for the Wildcats, as she received a throw-in from the left side. She danced her way into the left side of the box before cutting in towards goal. Her right footed blast tucked into the upper corner of the goal, giving the Wildcats a 3-2 lead 55:18 into the match.
Kate Tubo came on and played the final 53:48 of the match in goal, earning her first victory as a Wildcat. The Wildcats outshot the Bears, 17-10, for the match while also earning more corners, 5-2.
The Wildcats have a bit of a break before their next contest, as they return home to square off against cross-town rival Goldey-Beacom on Wednesday afternoon. The match features a pair of undefeated teams in CACC play. The opening kick is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.
