NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking loss in the First Round of the NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament on Friday night, as No. 4 seed Jefferson University came back at the end of regulation and scored a golden goal in double overtime at Grappone Stadium at Saint Anselm.
The No. 5 seed Wildcats' season comes to a gut-wrenching end with a 12-3-6 overall record, falling in the First Round of NCAA Tournament for the third time. The Wildcats scored in the 14th minute and held that lead into the 90th minute. Jefferson tied it with 50 seconds left and then capitalized in the second overtime, ending the game in the 107th minute.
The Wildcats scored on their first chance of the game, making it their first goal in the NCAA Tournament in their third trip. Indigo Kirk tackled the ball away from the Rams in their own third and played it across the field to a charging Anneli Donath at midfield. She one-timed it into the right corner to Eboni Bradshaw. Bradshaw got around it and sent a cross into the middle of the box to a wide-open Evelyn Payne. She was able to get a touch and get a shot off just before the Ram defense came crashing in on her. She found the back of the net for her fifth goal of the year and the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.
Cayley Winters had a great chance in the 30th minute, finding space behind the defense on the right side. But her attempt was punched wide by the Ram netminder. The Rams also had multiple chances in the first half, but each of their best chances went over the crossbar. Jefferson led in shots, 7-2, in the first half, with both of the Wildcats' shots going on goal and all seven for the Rams missing the frame.
Jefferson pushed forward in the second half but the Wildcats held onto the lead until late in the game. The Wildcats cleared a ball off the line in the 89th minute but then the CACC Player of the Year Nikki Dedes struck the upper 90 from 25 yards out with 50 seconds left to tie the game, 1-1.
The Wildcats had the first three shots of the overtime period, but two were saved and one was wide. The Wildcats cleared a ball off the line again in the 97th minute, keeping the game, 1-1, at the end of the first overtime period.
The second overtime period was controlled by Jefferson, getting all four shots in the period. But it was a rebound off a corner in the 107th minute that ended the contest, as Nikki Dedes was in the right spot at the right time for the game-winner.
Jefferson led in shots, 24-9, including 8-7, in shots on goal. Arianna Myers made four saves in the game.
Jefferson advances to play No.1 seed and host Saint Anselm on Sunday afternoon.