NEWARK, Del. - - A pair of late first half goals was enough for Jefferson as the Rams defeated the Wilmington University women's soccer team, 2-1, on Thursday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
In a matchup of United Soccer Coaches regionally ranked teams, the Rams remained undefeated in CACC play, moving to 10-1-1 overall and 7-0-0 in CACC play. The Wildcats dropped their second straight CACC contest and now stand at 8-4 overall and 5-2 in CACC play.
The Rams controlled the first half, leading the Wildcats in shots, 9-1. But they didn't find the back of the net until the 36th minute, scoring off a corner. Avery Nogami headed home the second ball, giving the Rams the 1-0 lead 35:16 into the match. After the Wildcats got a header off a corner by Maria Leguizamon, the Rams took the goal-kick down the other way, springing Nogami free on the right side. She slotted one past Arianna Myers for the 2-0 lead with 48 seconds to play in the half.
The Wildcats came out with urgency in the second half, getting a header from Brianna Wons and a shot blocked by Jordan Siok. Alyssa Ruggeri had the first chance in the 59th minute, and then had another chance just missing the right upper 90 off a free kick in the 69th minute. Natalia Sartor had a shot off a corner go wide left in the 80th minute, but the Wildcats eventually found the back of the net on one of their six corners in the second half.
Ellie Lawrence sent the corner to the back post and Maria Leguizamon headed it back across the box. The Rams attempted to clear it multiple times, but it popped right to Alyssa Ruggeri who headed it home to put the Wildcats on the board 82:03 into the contest.
Maria Leguizamon had a chance off a corner in the 85th minute cleared off the post by a defender and then Evelyn Payne had one final attempt after a long run down the right side, but her shot sailed wide as the Rams held on.
The Wildcats outshot the Rams, 10-6, in the second half, but the Rams won the battle, 15-11, overall. The Wildcats earned more corners, 7-5. Mio Nakajima made three saves in the second half to keep the Wildcats in the contest.
The Wildcats step outside of the CACC for their next two contests, starting with Roberts Wesleyan on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex. The opening kick-off is set for 12:00 p.m. against the Red Hawks.