Video recap at bottom of release.
Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo of Ward's game-winner with 4:26 left in regulation, taken by James Jones.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - A goal in the 86th minute decided a closely contested Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference First Round matchup with the No. 5 Wilmington University women's soccer team defeating No. 4 Philadelphia, 2-1, on Monday afternoon at Ravenhill Field.
The Wildcats (11-7) outshot the Rams (9-8-1), 14-8, for the match, but the Rams earned more corners, 8-4, in the tight, defensive battle.
The visitors struck first late into the opening half, getting in on the left side. Teigha Ward made a run down the left side for the Wildcats, putting a cross into the box with her left foot. She found the head of Loran Wyrough who redirected the ball over the goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead in the 38th minute.
The Rams battled right back, however, using one of their six corners in the first half to tie the match. Alexa Karakitsios played a short corner before receiving the ball back from Dena Noiseux. Karakitsios played a ball to the back post, bending it home over the goalkeeper in the 41st minute.
The Wildcats controlled the pace of play for the majority of the second half, but the Rams collected the best chance in the 79th minute .Noiseux found herself through the defense and alone in on the Wilmington goalkeeper Kierstyn Williams. Noiseux's shot to the near post was saved and the ensuing corner kick was cleared from danger.
Wilmington used a long throw-in from Valerie Bragg to break the 1-1 tie in the 86th minute. Bragg's flip throw landed in the middle of the box but a diving Deanna Messner saved Melissa Gall's initial shot. Wyrough pounced on the rebound, but her shot went off the right post and into the middle of the goalmouth. Ward was there for the tap-in goal at the 85:38 mark.
The Rams didn't record a shot in the final moments, allowing the Wildcats to move on to the CACC Tournament Semifinals on Friday.
Messner recorded seven saves for the Rams while Williams made four stops for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats advance to play CACC Regular Season Champion, host, and No. 1 seed Georgian Court on Friday in the semifinals. They will play the first semifinal at 11:00 a.m. in Lakewood, N.J.
