WILMINGTON, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team secured the No. 4 seed and a home playoff game in the upcoming Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament with a 3-1 victory against Goldey-Beacom on Wednesday night at Abessinio Stadium.
The Wildcats finish the regular season 9-2-6 overall with a 5-1-5 CACC mark for 20 points and fourth overall. They will now host No. 5 Georgian Court in the CACC Tournament First Round on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.
Wilmington utilized the right side of the field to score all three goals on Wednesday night, with the first coming in the 31st minute. Eboni Bradshaw had space down the right wing, getting to the endline. Her cross into the box found the head of Sierra Bartley, but her initial shot was saved. Indigo Kirk was there on the rebound though, scoring her third goal of the year for the 1-0 lead.
Goldey-Beacom was able to tie the score in the second half, scoring off a corner kick in the 68th minute.
But the Wildcats answered right back, taking the lead for good in the 72nd minute. Evelyn Payne was the Wildcat to make her way down the right wing this time, dancing into the box. Her pass across found the foot of Eboni Bradshaw, but her shot was stopped by the Lightning goalkeeper sliding out. The ball bounced all the way to the top of the 18 and Stef Barrios was there to touch it inside to her right foot, and blasting home her first goal of the year to the keeper's left for the 2-1 lead.
Moments later, Eboni Bradshaw again got the ball out wide to Payne on the right side. She drove hard to the six-yard box, drawing the keeper out. She slid a pass to Sierra Bartley in the middle of the box and she tapped it in for her sixth goal of the year and the 3-1 lead in the 77th minute.
The Wildcats led in shots, 14-5, and took more corners, 3-1. Arianna Myers made two saves in goal for the win.
The Lightning are still in the CACC Tournament as well, earning the No. 6 seed. They will travel to No. 3 Chestnut Hill on Saturday for the First Round.
Saturday's CACC Tournament First Round game is slated for a 12:00 p.m. opening whistle at the WU Athletics Complex.