WILMINGTON, Ohio - Alex Vestal scored the game's only goal midway through the second half to give the Wilmington College women's soccer team a 1-0 victory over Heidelberg University in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener on Saturday evening.
Wilmington nearly scored several times in the first 20 minutes as three shots hit the woodwork including one after it was saved by Heidelberg goalkeeper Alexandra Farmer. The Quakers peppered a dozen shots in the first 45 minutes, but could not break through the Student Prince defense.
As the second half began, the crossbar was kind to Heidelberg once again as a shot from Taylor Leake hit caromed just high. After another Leake shot sailed just wide, Vestal got the ball on her left foot and fired a long-distance strike over the head of Farmer to score the game's only goal.
Heidelberg's last chance to score came in the 87th minute after a Wilmington foul. Bekah Thomas's shot from long distance sailed over the crossbar giving the Quakers the win in the OAC opener.
Wilmington outshot Heidelberg 20-8 in the contest including a 10-2 edge in shots on goal. Four Quakers – Hanna Greaney, Paige Lane, Mellonee Hall and Amy Johnson – all fired two shots on net. Erica Campbell and Amanda Nething each took a shot on goal for the Student Princes.
Leda Moyer earned the shutout victory making two saves while Farmer took the loss despite making nine saves in the game.
Wilmington improves to 7-2-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the OAC with the win while Heidelberg falls to 5-5-1 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play. The Quakers return to action on Wednesday for a home game with Muskingum University. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
