WILMINGTON — Elizabeth Matthews’ goal with just over a minute left in overtime pushed Wilmington College to a 1-0 win Sunday over Marietta at Townsend Field in Ohio Athletic Conference action.
The Quakers battled through windy conditions in their fourth overtime match in five games. The Quakers are now 2-1-2 on the year while the Pioneers are 0-4-1.
“Great team effort today,” said WC head coach Steve Spirk said. “We believed that we would score and we did. We continue to improve and get better as a team.”
Wilmington held a 9-4 edge in shots in the first 45 minutes with the best chance to score coming in the 18th minute. Taylor Huffman ran onto a through ball in the box and attempted to flick it in net, but a charging Katie Conkle, Marietta’s starting goalkeeper, made the save.
Five minutes later, the Pioneers’ best chance to score in the game came along. Kaylie Ward took a couple of dribbles to her right and fired a low shot from just outside the box directed towards the far post. Quaker netminder, Lauren Galloway, quickly ranged to her left and made the save.
The second half, with wind continuing to play a factor, was much more defensive with the hosts taking four shots and visitors taking two. Heading into overtime, a place Wilmington has been comfortable with, the Quakers fired four shots to the Pioneers’ zero. The fourth one, off the foot of Matthews, beat Conkle for the game-winner.
Galloway earned the shutout victory, making three saves in just under 99 minutes in goal.
Wilmington will host Otterbein University at 7 p.m. Thursday.
