NEWARK, Del. - - A matchup between regionally ranked teams lived up to the billing as Maria Leguizamon headed home a corner with 1:01 to play to lead the Wilmington University soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Mercy on Tuesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.

Wilmington (5-2) came into the contest ranked No. 4 in Tuesday's United Soccer Coaches Division II East Region Poll while Mercy (3-3-1) jumped up a spot to No. 9 this week. Mercy struck first with a goal in the ninth minute, but then the Wildcats battled back with a goal in the 21^st minute. After each team accumulated multiple scoring chances, it was a header off a corner with 1:01 to play that proved to be the game-winner.

The Mavericks struck first, scoring off a punted ball and getting in behind the line. Isabella Messina won a second ball off the punt and moved forward. She played Hailey Metzger down the middle and was in alone on Arianna Myers. Metzger scored just 8:26 into the game to take a 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats answered with a couple chances at the other end and finally found the back of the net in the 21^st minute. Jordan Siok pounced on a loose ball on the left side, taking it down to the endline. She cut toward goal and fed a ball back across the goal mouth to a wide-open Evelyn Payne who one-touched it into the empty net for her first goal of the season.

Both teams had excellent opportunities throughout the second half, but neither side could find the back of the net. Mio Nakajima was called upon to made a diving save in the 88^th minute, jumping to her left to stop a shot from Maverick leading goal scorer Ancksu Dixon.

Evelyn Payne was fouled two steps outside the box with two minutes left but Brianna Wons' cross to the far post was touched away by the goalkeeper. Maria Leguizamon knocked it back towards the corner and Jordan Siok deflected it off a Maverick to win a corner.

Ellie Lawrence took the corner with about 1:10 to play, sending it to the middle of the goal at the seven-yard line. It sailed over the goalkeeper and Maria Leguizamon headed it back towards the near post, sneaking past the defender for the 2-1 lead with 1:01 to play.

The Wildcats led the Mavericks in shots, 15-10, including shots on goal, 6-5. The Wildcats capitalized on one of their eight corners, leading that category, 8-2. Arianna Myers made three saves in the first half while Nakajima made the one in the second for the win.

The Wildcats remain home for a third straight game on Saturday, starting a CACC doubleheader on Homecoming Saturday against Felician. The opening whistle is set for 1:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.