VIDEO INTERVIEW - HEAD COACH NICK KINDER
WILMINGTON, Ohio - Reigning Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Offensive Player of the Week Alex Wilson scored in the 25th minute and the Wilmington College women's soccer team allowed just two shots in a 1-0 triumph over Earlham College in the Quaker Bowl Rivalry game at Williams Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Earlham began the game in a quite compact formation as it stayed true to the 'park the bus' defensive style. Wilmington held possession of the ball for a significant amount of the first half, but were turned away on several occasions. Alex Wilson broke the stalemate in the 25th minute scoring her fourth goal of the season. Wilson's goal gave the home team a 1-0 lead the Fightin' Quakers would take to halftime.
Wilmington controlled the second half much like the first. After allowing Earlham to put two shots on goal in the first half, WC responded by allowing zero shots on goal in the second half. Wilmington had several tantalizing chances, but Earlham goalkeeper Makayla Hurey tallied six saves in the second half alone.
The Fightin' Quakers again turn in a superior defensive performance as they held the Hustlin' Quakers of Earlham to only two total shots on goal. Coach Kinder was quick to praise not just his goalkeeper Lauren Galloway, but his entire back line saying, "Not only are we not giving up goals, but we are not even giving up opportunities.'
The Wilmington defense has been getting the lion's share of the attention but its offense has been just as effective. Wilmington is quickly becoming a team capable of controlling the action in a variety of play styles. Coach Kinder spoke after the game saying, "Each of our last three opponents have played differently so today was [a] more defensive [opponent] while other games, we've had to battle other ways."
Goalkeeper Lauren Galloway scored her third consecutive clean sheat. Alex Wilson scored her fourth goal of her season in as many games, Wilson also earned a yellow card late in the second half. Mallory Smith and Eva Lyon each had one shot on goal.
Up next, Wilmington (3-1-0) will face the College of Wooster on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
