(LANGHORNE, Pa.) – Wilson's unbeaten streak remained intact as it overcame an early deficit and defeated Cairn on Saturday evening. The Highlanders opened the game with a goal in the seventh minute, but the Phoenix were able to answer five minutes later to start a string of three unanswered goals.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 3, Cairn 2
Venue: Stillman Athletic Complex
Records: Wilson 5-0-1, 0-0-0 United East; Cairn 0-3-1, 0-0-0 United East
How It Happened
- The first two goals of the game came in an unconventional style as they were both from well outside the box. For the opening score, Cairn's Paige Noble took control of a loose ball and was able to lob a shot from about 30 yards out over the head of the Phoenix keeper Erin Roszkowiak (Sr., Cinnamonson, N.J. / Cinnamonson). Wilson was able to return the favor, however, as Annie Smith (So., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown) picked up her goalie from about the same distance from the center of the field and perfectly placed it to the upper right 90 in the 12th minute.
- The game remained gridlocked at 1-1 for the rest of the half, but it didn't take the Blue and White long in the second to light up the scoreboard once again. Smith scored her second of the game as she dribbled to the center from the right side taking the Cairn goalie with her before crossing her over with a shot to the right from about 20 yards out in the 55th minute.
- Maddy Miller (Jr., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) added an insurance goal to make the score 3-1 21 minutes later. She was set up on the right side of the goal and had possession along the end line before going around a defender and lobbing a shot towards the net. It was able to bounce off the center of the crossbar before squeezing just inside the far post. The goal proved necessary as the Highlanders were able to pull within one with under four minutes remaining in the game. Cairn was able to get off one more shot after that, but Roszkowiak was able to make the save to help preserve the victory.
Inside The Numbers
- Smith's goals were her second and third of the season, and third in her last two games. It was also the third multiple-goal game for the 2023 United East Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference selection.
- For Miller, it was also her third of the season.
- Both teams were heavy on the offense and peppered opposing defenses with 29 combined shots. The Phoenix led the shot count 16-13, while the Highlanders held the edge 8-7 in shots on goal.
- Corner kicks favored the Blue and White by a 7-2 count.
- Wilson has gone unbeaten against the Highlanders for the last five games. While Wilson's ended in penalty kicks in the postseason last year, it goes remains in the record books a draw.
- With the result Head Coach Terry Harris has now won his 50th game as a head coach. He's done so in just five seasons after taking over the program in 2019 (no games were played during 2020) and currently has an overall record of 50-24-6 (.663).
Up Next
Wilson won't have far to go for its next contest as it heads just across the Mason-Dixon Line to Frederick, Maryland, for a date with Hood on Tuesday. Kickoff with the Blazers is set for 5 p.m.
