SPARKILL, N.Y. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team wrapped up its nonconference schedule on Sunday, traveling to St. Thomas Aquinas and coming home with a 3-1 victory at Spartan Field.
Both Evelyn Payne and Eboni Bradshaw scored a goal and contributed an assist each while senior Ashante Wilson-Campbell scored her first collegiate career goal in leading the Wildcats to their eighth victory of the year.
The Wildcats (8-2-6, 4-1-5 CACC) sit in fourth place in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference standings with one game remaining in the regular season. They will play crosstown rival Goldey-Beacom on Wednesday for the right to host a CACC Tournament Quarterfinal matchup. A win or tie on Wednesday night will secure the fourth seed for the Wildcats while a loss will give the Lightning the fourth seed and drop the Wildcats to fifth.
On Sunday, the Wildcats quickly scored to set the tone. The Wildcats forced a turnover on the Spartans' back line and Ebone Bradshaw pounced on the loose ball. She passed it centrally to Evelyn Payne at the top of the 18-yard box and she one-timed it home, beating the keeper low to her right for her fourth goal of the year.
Another turnover at midfield led to the Wildcats' second goal in the 62nd minute. High pressure from Payne forced a bad pass and it was intercepted by Stef Barrios. She played give-and-go with Cludia Gillum, and then Barrios touched it forward to Eboni Bradshaw in the box. She kept the ball low for her 10th goal of the year in her freshman campaign.
Ashante Wilson-Campbell then got in the boxscore in the 83rd minute, finishing off a great build up from Gillum, Bradshaw, and Payne. Bradshaw touched the ball to the endline, finding Payne. Payne played it back across the box and Wilson-Campbell tapped it in for the 3-0 lead.
STAC was able to break up the shutout in the 87th minute, but the Wildcats hung on for the 3-1 victory. Arianna Myers made four saves in the first half while Isabella Mazzone made five saves in the second half. The Wildcats outshot the Spartans, 24-17, and earned more corners, 4-1.
Wednesday's game will be a part of a men's and women's doubleheader against Goldey-Beacom, being playing at Abessinio Stadium in Wilmington. The women kickstart the doubleheader with a. 6:00 p.m. opening whistle.