Link to Post University Photo Album
WATERBURY, Conn. - - For the second time in program history, the Wilmington University women's soccer team can call itself Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Champions, defeating Caldwell, 2-0, on Saturday afternoon at LaMoy Field, earning the conference's automatic qualification into the NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament next week.
The No. 4 seed Wildcats scored a pair of second half goals to defeat No. 2 seed Caldwell. The Wildcats are now 12-2-6 overall and will wait to hear their name called on the NCAA Selection Show on Monday night at 6:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
It is the second CACC Tournament Championship for the Wildcats, joining the 2012 team who defeated Philadelphia University, 1-0, on LaMoy Field on the campus of Post University as well. It will be the third appearance in the NCAA East Regional Tournament for the Wildcats, and the second in a row.
On Saturday, the Wildcats and Cougars went into the halftime break with a scoreless game. The Wildcats led in shots, 7-3, but each team just put one on frame in the half. The Wildcats also led in corners, 5-1.
The Wildcats came out of the break and put the pressure on the Cougars early. Evelyn Payne had a chance in the 49th minute, breaking in on goal. But her attempt sailed high over the crossbar and the game remained scoreless. Eboni Bradshaw and Anneli Donath also had runs in behind the defense but couldn't get shots off as the defense retreated in time.
It wasn't until the 68th minute that the Wildcats broke through. Maria Leguizamon cleared it out of the back and Eboni Bradshaw brought it down at midfield. Sierra Bartley then played it out wide to Indigo Kirk and the left back took it down the left wing. She played a cross into the box and Bartley got a piece of it, dropping it right down to Bradshaw. Bradshaw one-timed it past Ariana Gaminara at the six-yard box, putting the Wildcats on the board with her 12th goal of the year, 1-0.
The Wildcats continued to press forward, getting a corner in the 79th minute. Evelyn Payne found some space on the right side of the box and her cross looking for Bradshaw got blocked out of play. Cayley Winters than played the corner to the far post, over the punch of Gaminara and to the waiting forehead of Maria Leguizamon for her third goal of the season and the 2-0 lead.
Arianna Myers wasn't tested often on Saturday, but she did make a pair of saves late to preserve the shutout. First, with four minutes left, sliding out to take a ball away from Taina Gervais and a final one on a breakaway against Gervais with 10 seconds left.
The Wildcats outshot the Cougars, 20-8, including on shots on goal, 7-3. They also earned more corners, 8-2. Myers made all three saves for her sixth shutout of the year.
The Wildcats will hear their name called on Monday night with the Selection Show on NCAA.com. The First Round of the NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament is tentatively scheduled for Friday, November 21, at a site and against an opponent to be determined.
CACC All-Tournament Team:
MVP - Maria Leguizamon, Wilmington
Eboni Bradshaw, Wilmington
Mary Kahraman, Wilmington
Indigo Kirk, Wilmington
Maria Leguizamon, Wilmington
Arianna Myers, Wilmington
Evelyn Payne, Wilmington
Rosio Cardenas, Caldwell
Ayla Fraser, Caldwell
Ariana Gaminara, Caldwell
Taina Gervais, Caldwell
Abby Collins, Chestnut Hill
Hayden Johnston, Chestnut Hill
Alexa Callahan, Jefferson
Carly Yeager, Jefferson