NEWARK, Del. - - There was no rust after the nearly two-year hiatus for the Wilmington University women's soccer team, as they came out of the gate and defeated Daemen, 2-0, in the 2021 season opener on Friday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The team hasn't played since November 12, 2019, but the Wildcats (1-0) controlled the tempo and possession for the majority of the contest, ultimately leading to a 20-12 advantage on shots.
The Wildcats couldn't piece together the final third until the 26th minute, when Kasie Lambert blasted home a shot from outside the 18-yard box. After a Wilmington shot was blocked, the ball was cleared out of the box, but a hard charging Lambert took full advantage and one-timed it high past the goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead 25:52 into the match.
Daemen responded strong with three straight shots, but Emily Camp came up with one save while one was blocked and the final was wide of the net.
After the break, the Wildcats came out and recorded seven of the first eight shots of the half. But it wasn't until the 69th minute that they were able to break loose.
An All-American at Bloomsburg, Lauren Hoelke gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead after a give and go with Rockesha Dayes from within close atop the 18-yard box. The home team continued to pour it on down the stretch, outscoring Daemen, 12-6, in the second half alone.
Emily Camp kept the clean sheet in the final seconds of the contest, as she stopped a point blank shot just before the horn sounded. She made five saves for her first shutout of the season.
The Wildcats remain home for their next contest, as they host perennial East Region power Adelphi on Sunday afternoon. The opening whistle against the Panthers is set for 1:00 p.m.
