DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team wrapped up its nonconference schedule on Thursday afternoon, stretching its unbeaten streak to seven consecutive games with a 3-1 victory at Mercy.
The Wildcats are now 8-2-3 overall on the year, wrapping up their nonconference slate with a 3-1-2 record. Alyssa Ruggeri scored twice on Thursday while Evelyn Payne came away with the game-winner in the 50th minute.
The scoring started in the 34th minute, as Alyssa Ruggeri scored off a corner from Gabriella Corchiani. The centerback sent the ball to the far post, finding Ruggeri all alone. Her one-time volley hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced in, giving the Wildcats the 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
Early in the second half, the Wildcats intercepted a clearance chance by the Mavericks. With her back to the goal, Manuela Restrepo played a ball into the box on the right side. Evelyn Payne raced on to the ball and one-timed it low past the keeper for the 2-0 lead exactly 49 minutes into the contest.
Mercy got on the board in the 62nd minute, as a clearance ricocheted off Ancksu Dixon and she pounced on the loose ball in the box and buried the shot to cut the Wildcats lead to 2-1.
Alyssa Ruggeri gave the Wildcats another two-goal lead in the 67th minute, scoring her third goal of the year. Off a throw-in deep in the Wildcats' offensive zone, Restrepo found Sharon Freire Omonigho in the left corner. Omonigho crossed the ball to the near post, finding Ruggeri who stepped in front of her defender and headed home the cross for the 3-1 lead.
Ruggeri had six of the team's nine shots, putting three on goal in the game. The Wildcats led in shots, 9-8, and had more corner, 7-5. Mio Nakajima made four saves for the victory.
The Wildcats return to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play for the final four games of the regular season, starting on Sunday at Caldwell. The opening whistle is set for 12:00 p.m.