NEWARK, Del. - - A pair of quick strikes allowed the Wilmington University women's soccer team to earn a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over Holy Family, 3-1, on Tuesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (4-2-2, 3-1 CACC) scored twice in the opening 10 minutes of the game before using the help of an early second half goal to put away the Tigers (2-5-1, 1-2-1 CACC) for their second straight win.
Before everyone could settle into their seats, Alyssa Ruggeri found the back of the net for her first goal of the season, coming back from injury. Ruggeri and Sharon Freire Omonigho passed it back and forth down the middle of the field and into the box. Omonigho played it back in front of the goal and Ruggeri kneed it home just 1:12 into the contest.
Ruggeri was involved in the next goal as well, flicking it over the top of the back line to allow Manuela Restrepo to chase onto the ball. Restrepo was able to get a toe on the ball prior to the goalkeeper coming out, sliding it over the goal line just 9:55 into the game for the 2-0 lead.
The Tigers settled into the game and started on the attack in the first half as well, getting a goal back in the 20th minute. Rebecca Casper took a corner and sent it to the back post. Mio Nakajima came out to punch it, but it was just out of the reach of her closed fist, and Lexi Murphy was there on the back post to redirect it home.
The Wildcats struck again early in the second half, ultimately putting the game away for the home team. Manuela Restrepo played Evelyn Payne into the box on the left side. Payne brought the ball back to her right foot and beat the goalkeeper to make it 3-1 in the 55th minute.
The Tigers began to press looking to get back into the contest, but the Wildcats' defense held firm, even when they went down a player with more than four minutes to play.
Mio Nakajima made five saves in goal for the Wildcats as the Tigers ultimately outshot the Wildcats, 15-10.
The Wildcats hit the road for their next two matches, first with another CACC contest at Dominican on Saturday. The opening whistle is set for 12:00 p.m. in Orangeburg, New York.
