LAFAYETTE Hill, Pa. - - A pair of second half goals allowed the Wilmington University women's soccer team to come back and defeat Chestnut Hill, 2-1, on Tuesday night at Victory Field #1 in the team's 2024 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference debut.
The Wildcats (3-2, 1-0 CACC) received votes in today's United Soccer Coaches Division II National Poll but needed to battle back from a 1-0 halftime deficit. Chestnut Hill (0-2-1, 0-1 CACC) scored off a rebound from a powerful freekick in the 39th minute.
Shortly after the Griffins went down a player due to a second yellow card, Alyssa Ruggeri found herself in behind the backline and lone on goal. Maria Leguizamon stepped forward and played a ball over the top in the 62nd minute. Ruggeri took the bouncing ball and one-timed it over the drawn-out keeper to tie the game with 28:30 to play.
After a turnover in the midfield with less than eight minutes to play, Sharon Friere Omonigho chipped the ball forward to the top of the 18-yard box. Jordan Siok won the ball among three Griffins and got into the box with only the goalie to beat. Siok was tripped from behind before getting a shot off, prompting a second red card on the home team and an upcoming penalty kick for the Wildcats.
Alyssa Ruggeri calmly stepped up and buried her first attempt from the spot this season for her fifth goal overall. The Wildcats led 2-1 with 6:54 to play in the game.
Mio Nakajima was called upon to make a save on a shot from outside the box with 2:30 to play as the Wildcats were able to run out the rest of the clock for the victory.
The Wildcats led in shots, 16-9, and shots on goal, 13-4. They also took more corners, 5-4, in the match.
After five games on the road to start the season, the Wildcats make their home debut on Saturday when they welcome Post to the WU Athletics Complex for another CACC contest. The opening kick-off is set for 12:00 p.m. against the Eagles.