SUBJECT: Wildcats Mount Epic Comeback in Final 12 Minutes and Put Away Chestnut Hill, 4-3, in Double Overtime

DATE: October 15, 2013
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NEWARK, Del. - - Trailing by three goals with only 12 minute remaining in regulation, the Wilmington University women’s soccer team did the unthinkable and came all the way back to defeat Chestnut Hill, 4-3, in double overtime in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference thriller at the WU Athletics Complex.

The game-tying goal came with 48 seconds remaining in regulation as the Wildcats (5-6-1, 5-3-1 CACC) scored three goals to tie it starting at the 77:56 mark of the second half. Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins capped the comeback with the game-winner in the 105th minute to shock Chestnut Hill (3-8-1, 3-4-1 CACC).

The comeback was enabled by Jenna Quaranta who brought the team to within one goal by herself in an eight minute span late in the contest. The senior’s first goal of the match came at the 77:56 mark on a nice one-two combination with Hoesli-Atkins. After cutting through the defense on a nice run down the left side, Quaranta cut towards the goal at the end line before passing it to Hoesli-Atkins at the top of the box. Hoesli-Atkins passed it right back to Quaranta as the defense came down on her, and Quaranta redirected the pass past Chestnut Hill’s goalkeeper Samantha Pauls and into the net for her second goal of the year.

The comeback grew legs nearly eight minutes later as Quaranta was at it again, this time being in the right place at the right time. On a free kick, Hoesli-Atkins put a put to the eight yard mark where Rachel Burley challenged the keeper who came off the line to punch the ball out. Burley’s header went right to Quaranta on the right post and she was able to slide it in with her left foot for her second goal of the game at the 84:27 mark.

Now with under a minute to play in regulation, the Wildcats had the ball in front of their bench on the left and Sara Eggert played a long ball over top to the right side of the 18-yard box. Freshman Kim Richer was there on the back post, shooting it over the top of the oncoming goalie to tie the match at 3-3 with 48 seconds to play.

With all the momentum on their side, the Wildcats came out and controlled the pace of play in the first overtime period and even nearly won the match in the first 10 minute period. Monica Weil took a shot from 25 yards out, but the ball bounced high off the crossbar and stayed out of the goal where Pauls was able to collect the rebound.

Again controlling the second overtime period, the Wildcats were able to earn a pair of corner kicks in the final frame, with the second completing the unbelievable comeback. Victoria Vasapolli’s left footed corner bent its way to the back post, and after a scramble on the goal mouth, Hoesli-Atkins found a gap and put home the game-winner 4:20 into the second overtime.

The win now gives the Wildcats 16 points in the CACC and moves the team into a tie for third place after nine games played. Dominican also has 16 points in the conference, only playing eight CACC games, however. The two meet for a pivotal match on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.

Chestnut Hill received a late goal of its own in the match, scoring with three second on the scoreboard in the first half to carry the lead at the break. Carly DiGiovanni scored her seventh goal of the year on a misclear in the 18-yard box by the Wilmington defense.

The Griffins made it 2-0 in the 61st minute off a scramble of their own in front of the goal off a corner kick. Kaelyn Pizarro notched her fourth goal of the year on the play. Marykate McShane moved the visitor lead to 3-0 in the 72nd minute on another misclear by the Wilmington defense.

Wilmington’s goalkeeper Julia Brown kept the Wildcats in the contest with seven saves while Pauls recorded two saves for the Griffins in the loss. Chestnut Hill managed to outshoot the Wildcats, 14-12, while also earning more corners, 5-4, for the match.

The match against Dominican on Saturday is slated for a 12 p.m. start. The six senior captains will be recognized prior to the game for Senior Day.