(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The penultimate conference game of the year saw Wilson bounce back from Saturday's road defeat to take a draw with Notre Dame and earn a point in the United East standings. The Phoenix took an early lead with a goal in the eighth minute only to see the Gators pull even in the 32nd and force a stalemate for the final 58 minutes.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 1, Notre Dame 1
Venue: Kris's Meadow
Records: Wilson 6-7-3, 3-3-1 (10 points) UE; Notre Dame 3-9-2, 2-3-2 (8 points) UE
How It Happened
- Wilson had an early opportunity on a corner kick which resulted in Savanna Mackie (So., Hanover, Pa. / Southwestern) putting the ball on target for a save by the Gators' Leah Hasberry. It didn't take too much longer for the Phoenix to find the back of the net though as Halley Shaffer (Sr., Sunbury, Pa. / Line Mountain) put the hosts in front at the 7:33 mark. Atiya Jackson (Jr., Brunswick, Md. / Brunswick / Shippensburg) set her up with a pass near midfield and Shaffer was able to split the defense for a one-on-one chance in which she easily slipped it inside the left far post.
- The Phoenix kept up the pressure and took the next five shots before the Gators got their first. It came on an Addison Barry free kick that was saved by Madison Ebersole (So., Big Pool, Md. / Clear Springs), but a foul in the box left Notre Dame with a penalty kick. Alex Busick then found the back of the net on the right side for the equalizer at 31:29.
- The bulk of the game saw the Blue and White in the offensive zone and peppering the Gators' keeper with shot after shot. Shaffer, Jackson, Kenzie Hermann (FY, Perkasie, Pa.), and Mackie all added additional shots on goal before the end of the first. Once the second half began, Annie Smith (Sr., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown) had two of her three shots in the opening five minutes saved. Jackson and Shaffer later had takes that were on target, but neither found the back of the net.
Inside The Numbers
- Shaffer scored her 11th goal of the season and the 63rd of her career. She's tied for No. 34 in Division III for most goals and is fifth in the entirety of the NCAA for both women and men for career goals among active players.
- Jackson continues an impressive stretch where she has recorded a point in four of the past five games with five points across that span. Three of her four assists this year have come in three of the past four games.
- A rugged defensive line led by Reilly Ryan (So., Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora), Hermann, Breanna Oliviero (FY, Wernersville, Pa. / Conrad Weiser), and Mackie helped make Ebersole's day easier as the Gators were limited to four shots while play was in motion. Ebersole made the save on all three shots on goal when the clock was running.
- Wilson outshot Notre Dame 20-5 overall and 10-4 in shots on goal. Corner kicks also favored the Phoenix 5-3.
Playoff Picture
- The Phoenix have a playoff bid locked up and will return to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season. They currently sit in sixth place with 10 points with one league game to go.
- Wilson could finish anywhere from fifth to ninth. Seeds Nos. 5 and 6 earn byes to the quarterfinal round. Seeds Nos. 7 and 8 will host first round games next Wednesday with seeds Nos. 9 and 10 traveling on the road.
Up Next
Wilson will play its final non-conference game of the season on Wednesday when it travels to Lancaster to take on Franklin and Marshall. Kickoff with the Diplomats is set for 4:30 p.m.
