NEWARK, Del. - - It took nearly 82 minutes for the Wilmington University women's soccer team to get on the board, but then it took all of one minute for the team to score in overtime to defeat Post, 2-1, in Central Atlantic Collegiate action at the WU Athletics Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The win allowed Wilmington (4-5-1, 4-2-1 CACC) to remain in the hunt in the CACC, as they now sit in a tie for third place with nine points, playing one more conference game then Nyack and Holy Family so far on the season. Post (4-5, 2-3) nearly held for the win after scoring 1:26 into the contest.
A defensive miscue early in the contest led to the Post goal. Unable to clear the ball form their own end, the Wildcats turned the ball over and right to the foot of Alison Mrowinski just outside the 16-yard box. Mrowinski wasted little time before taking a shot on goal, beating Wilmington goalkeeper Julia Brown above her left shoulder and into the upper corner for the goal. Her first of the season came just 1:26 into the match.
The Wildcats put the pressure on the Eagles' defense the entire first half, outshooting the visitors 8-4 in the first 45 minutes, including earning the only corner kick of the opening frame. But the Eagles' Grace McConnell kept the Wildcats off the board with six saves before the halftime break.
The tables were turned in the beginning of the second half, as the Eagles' came out and outshot the Wildcats, 8-3, in the second frame, including earning two corner kicks after the break. But this time it was Wilmington's net minder Julia Brown who made three saves in the half to keep the Wildcats in it until they were able to capitalize.
Coming down to crunch time, the Wildcats finally knotted the game in the 82nd minute, as Monica Weil struck a ball with her left foot from 25 yards out, beating McConnell high off a pass from Rachel Burley to the middle of the field.
Brown made the final save of regulation, reaching high for a ball in the 88th minute to deny the game-winning goal and forcing the teams into overtime.
Barely a minute into overtime, Rebecca Sowers made a run down the right side, putt a ball into the middle of the goal mouth from the touch line. After the ball bounced around a few times, Kim Richer finally got a boot on it, but her initial shot was saved by McConnell. Without the Eagles' goalie able to corral the ball, the ball found its way back to Richer who's second shot found the back of the net for the game-winner, 1:07 into the first overtime period.
Wilmington outshot Post, 13-12, for the match, while the Eagles earned more corners, 2-1, in the contest. McConnell recorded nine saves for the Eagles while Brown made four stops in the win for the Wildcats.
Getting a bit of a break from the action, the Wildcats are off until they head to Bloomfield next Saturday. The CACC contest is slated to begin at 11 a.m. at Foley Field.