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NEWARK, Del. - - Three second half goals lifted the Wilmington University women's soccer team back into the win column, defeating the College of Staten Island, 4-0, in their final nonconference game of the year on Thursday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
Rockesha Dayes scored her first two goals of the year in the game, adding an assist on the lid-lifting goal for a total of five points. The Wildcats are now 6-3-2 overall on the year and will now concentrate on the six remaining Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contests left in the regular season.
The Wildcats took it to the Dolphins (2-10-1) from the opening whistle, outshooting the visitors 24-1 in the match, including 15-0 in the second half. They also earned more corners, 9-1, in the contest.
But the Wildcats could only get one goal in the first half, and it came off the foot of Jimena Garcia Risoto in the 15th minute. Rockesha Dayes was played up the right side with space. She cut the ball back and played a centering pass to Garcia Risoto. She got the ball on her right foot and took a shot form 22-yards out, up and over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
The second half started quickly for the Wildcats, as they scored all three goals in the opening 8:31 of the second stanza. Manuela Restrepo converted a Dolphin goalkick into a scoring opportunity in the 47th minute. The high pressure forced the Dolphins into a turnover deep in their own end, and Manuela Restrepo jumped on the ball in the box. Her near side shot from in close was too quick for the keeper to stop, giving the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.
Less than two minutes later, Rockesha Dayes scored her first of the afternoon, using her head off a free kick. Samantha Emmi continued her strong efforts on direct kicks, sending a ball into the box. Dayes was on the back post and beat the keeper to the high lofted ball, heading it in for her first of the year.
Five minutes later, Dayes was at it again in close on the goal. Jimena Garcia Risoto played a ball into the box, that got deflected, got behind the keeper and went off the post. Rockesha Dayes was there to pounce on the loose ball and bury it for her second goal of the day and the 4-0 lead in the 54th minute.
The Wildcats return to CACC play on Saturday when they head to Felician for a night game. The opening whistle is set for 5:30 at the Lyndhurst Recreation Center in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.
