(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Wilson kept its winning streak intact going a perfect 3-0 in its recent homestand with a shutout of St. Vincent on Wednesday afternoon.
Katie Riley (Sr., Mt. Airy, Md. / Urbana) was able to knock in the lone goal of the contest early in the second half and the Phoenix held off a late push by the Bearcats in the final moments to preserve the clean sheet.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 1, St. Vincent 0
Venue: Kris's Meadow
Records: Wilson 3-2-1, St. Vincent 3-2-0
How It Happened
- Despite the score, both offenses were on display early as each team fired off four shots each in the opening 30. Wilson was able to force three corner kicks in the first four minutes as well, but only one shot generated from them as Maddy Miller (So., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) had a take that was wide left. Another Wilson corner followed just before half time, but didn't result in anything.
- The beginning of the second half was similar to the first with shots coming from both teams early. Halley Shaffer (So., Sunbury, Pa. / Line Mountain) had two in the first two minutes, both of which were saved by St. Vincent's Madison Arnold. The Bearcats countered with their first of the frame 42 seconds later, but it was deflected out by Wilson. Thankfully for the Phoenix the resulting corner didn't do any damage.
- Moments later Wilson was finally able to break through for the lone score of the game. With pressure mounting on Shaffer after she took three shots in the first eight minutes of the second half, she was able to find Riley open near the top of the box. Riley flicked it to the left side of the goalie off the left post and into the back of the net.
- Wilson wasn't out of the woods quite yet as the Bearcats attempted to pull even. The visitors maintained possession for a good chunk of the final 30 and took four shots during that time frame, but the Phoenix defense remained staunch. Rebecca Marakovitz (Jr., New Market, Md. / Linganore) made saves on two of the four to keep the clean sheet intact.
Inside The Numbers
- Shots were relatively even with Wilson holding a slight 14-11 edge. The takes on target were even closer with the Phoenix winning that category as well 7-6.
- Both goalkeepers played steadfast games and made six saves each. Arnold made five alone in the second half, many off the rocket right foot of Shaffer, but it was Marakovitz who took top honors on the day going a perfect 6-for-6.
- Shaffer had 10 of the 14 shots for the Phoenix with five of them on goal.
- Riley's goal was the first points of the season and the 11th goal of her career.
For The Record
- This was the third game in the all-time series between Wilson and Saint Vincent. All three games have been won by the home team. The Blue and White took the first game between the two by a score of 2-1 in 2021, while the Bearcats won 3-0 in Latrobe last season.
Up Next
With its longest home stand of the season complete, Wilson heads on the road for the next two games. First up is a trip to Harrisonburg, Virginia, to take on Eastern Mennonite. Kickoff with the Royals is set for Friday at 7 p.m.
