(Courtesy of Wilmington University)
NEW CASTLE, DE -- Sophomore forward Brittany Rhodes needed just 21 seconds from the start of overtime to score the game-winning goal and lift the Wildcats of Wilmington University to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Lions of Georgian Court University in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) women’s soccer action on Tuesday afternoon at the Kirkwood Complex.
Wilmington got on the board early in the first half, as senior Amanda Davis took a feed from junior Klaudia Furman, and blasted it right over Lions’ goalkeeper Shealyn Sullivan just over eight minutes into the game. The ‘Cats would take that 1-0 lead into halftime, but it would be short lived once the second period started.
Georgian Court tied the game at one when Jennifer Molzon headed home a ball from Nicole Petrosino just over six minutes into the start of the second half. The score would remain tied at one for the remainder of the period, but both teams had quality chances to put the game away in the closing minutes.
With about four minutes remaining in regulation, Wilmington’s Brooke Eveler made a point blank save on a breakaway chance by the Lions’ Kelly Lyons. In the closing seconds, Georgian Court’s Shannon Mastrogiovanni headed out a hard shot from Rhodes, as she stood right on the goal line, protecting the goal for Sullivan who got caught up in a crowd in front of the net.
Rhodes made up for it in overtime, as she took a through ball from senior Sam Simpson and buried it in the lower left corner, past the outstretched arms of Sullivan. That sent the Wildcats away with the thrilling overtime victory, kept them unbeaten in CACC play, and atop the standings in the conference.
Eveler notched six saves in goal for Wilmington, while Sullivan turned away six shots for Georgian Court. Wilmington out-shot the Lions by a 12-8 margin, and held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.
With the win, Wilmington improved to 11-0 in the CACC and 13-3 overall, while Georgian Court dropped to 6-5-1 in the conference and 8-8-2 on the season. The Lions end its regular season with the defeat and wait to see whom they take on in next Monday's CACC Tournament quarterfinals.
