NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer kept pace in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference with a 3-1 victory over Post on Senior Day on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.
Seven seniors were honored pregame during the Wildcats' (9-5-1, 8-2 CACC) Senior Day Ceremonies, and those seniors all carried the Wildcats to the 3-1 victory over the Eagles (4-10, 4-5 CACC). Two of the goals came by seniors while three of the team's five assists came from the senior class as well.
The scoring started quickly for the Wildcats, as they got on the board in the fifth minute with the game's first shot. Senior Ashley Cafarella played a ball into the middle to a charging Rebecca Dolhansky. The junior collected the ball and placed a let footed shot into the far corner from atop the 18-yard box, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead just 4:51 into the contest.
The Eagles tied the match in the 23rd minute, as the defense wasn't able to clear a ball out of the box on a cross. The ball snuck all the way through to Katharina Mertz on the back post, and she tucked one home for her sixth of the season.
But the Wildcats answered back quickly, using one-time passes down the middle of the field to take the lead for good. Jessica Unsihuay played a ball out wide to Preslie Quaranta who played it back into the middle of the box, finding Loran Wyrough open in front. Wyrough scored her CACC leading 14th of the season 28:42 into the match for the 2-1 lead.
Despite having multiple chances in the second half, the Wildcats couldn't find the back of the net again until the 75th minute. Getting to the left endline, Alexis Johnson played a ball into the box and over the goalkeeper's head. Gabrielle Bluford got a body on it, dropping right to Quaranta who stuffed it home for the 3-1 lead.
The Wildcats outshot the Eagles, 21-6, in the match, including a 10-1 advantage in the second half alone. Senior goalkeeper Kierstyn Williams made two saves to improved to 7-5-1 in goal for the Wildcats.
Prior to the game, the Wildcats honored the careers of seniors Gabrielle Bluford, Ashley Cafarella, Carin Essex-Arline, Preslie Quaranta, Alexa Smalley, Kierstyn Williams, and Loran Wyrough for Senior Day.
The Wildcats head out of the CACC for their final nonconference game of the season, heading to United Soccer Coaches Nationally No. 10 Adelphi on Thursday. First whistle is set for 7:00 p.m.
