BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team couldn't hold onto an early lead on the road at Bridgeport, as the hosts scored three unanswered to take the nonconference game, 3-1, on Wednesday afternoon at Knights Field.
It didn't take long for the Wildcats (5-4-1) to get on the board, as Rebecca Dolhansky cashed in the first opportunity in the third minute, but the Purple Knights (3-4-2) scored twice late to take the nonconference contest.
Dolhansky took advantage of the game's first chance, taking a long shot that drifted over the keeper's head just 2:14 into the match. It was Dolhansky's third goal of the season.
But the rest of the first half was all Bridgeport, as they went on to outshot the Wildcats, 12-2, in the half. Kierstyn Williams was called on to make 11 saves in the opening 45 minutes, but the Purple Knights were able to sneak one past her in the 29th minute. A turnover in the backfield allowed Sara Berglund to tie the match, 1-1, 28:55 into the contest.
The Purple Knights continued to put on the pressure in the second half, outshooting the Wildcats, 12-1, in the final stanza. But it wasn't until the 76th minute that the Purple Knights were able to take the lead, immediately following the Wildcats' lone shot of the half by La'Dae Boykin.
The Knights came down and got a cross off into the middle of the box. Amanda Ebbesson controlled the ball and hit a half-volley low and into the corner of the net to put the home team in front, 2-1.
Now with the Wildcats pressing forward, the Knights put the game away in the 87th minute. A through ball down the right side allowed Maegen Doyle to sneak behind the defense and finish for her fifth goal of the year, 3-1.
Williams recorded 16 saves in the match, four shy of tying Catie Joynes' program mark of 20 set in 2005.
The Wildcats return to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action and to the WU Athletics Complex when they host Caldwell on Saturday afternoon as part of a CACC doubleheader. The women kick things off with a match at 12:00 p.m.
