NEWARK, Del. – The Saint Anselm College women's soccer team concluded their away non-conference schedule with a draw against Wilmington University (Del.) on Sunday with a final score of 0-0.

UP NEXT:

• The Hawks (0-1-3) host Bentley University for their season home opener at Melucci Field on Wednesday, September 13. The non-conference tilt is set for a 4:00 p.m. start time.

Score: Saint Anselm 0, Wilmington (Del.) 0
Records: Saint Anselm (0-1-3); Wilmington (Del.) (1-1-1)
Location: Newark, Del. (WU Athletics Complex)
Date: Sunday, September 10, 2023
Attendance: 88
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Wilmington's offense was in control early in the match earning two corner kicks in the opening 10 minutes of play. The Wildcats had a scoring opportunity in the 13th minute after crossing the ball into the 18-yard box where Julia Yuhase headed the ball wide left of the Hawk's goal.  
• Senior captain Tara McCleary (Quincy, Mass.) produced the first shot attempt for Saint Anselm a few minutes later that went high over the crossbar. The Hawks attack started to gain momentum with junior Josie Pecor (Williston, Vt.) and senior Olivia Gotobed (North Andover, Mass.) each registering a shot apiece.
• Fifth-year captain Kathryn White (Georgetown, Mass.) joined in on the attack forcing two saves from the Wildcats goalkeeper Mio Nakajima in the span of five minutes. With seconds remaining in the first half, sophomore Zarina Pinto (Groveland, Mass.) ripped a shot high, keeping the score level at 0-0 heading into halftime.
• The Hawks wasted no time at the start of the second half, with Pecor and Gotobed each notching a shot apiece that Nakajima was able to collect. In the 57th minute, junior Riley DiGilio (Danvers, Mass.) rifled a shot from outside the box that Nakajima denied with a leaping save, her fifth of the day.
• At the 64:44 mark, Alyssa Ruggeri received the ball inside Saint Anselm's box and lofted a shot over freshman goalkeeper Maggie Warner (Saugus, Mass.) that would hit the crossbar and go out of play for a goal kick. Nakajima made another pair of saves after sophomore Emma Catanzarite (East Longmeadow, Mass.) recorded two shots on goal for the Hawks.
• Warner came up big for Saint Anselm in the 74th minute of play, registering her first save of the day after Kailynn Ortiz tried to catch the freshman keeper off her line. Shortly after, sophomore Livi Varetimos (Barnstable, Mass.) stole the ball from a Wildcats defender, ripping a left-footed shot that would go out of play.
• The game started to open as rainfall came pouring down in the final 10 minutes of the match. Saint Anselm had chances after earning back-to-back corner kicks in the 83rd minute, but the Hawks would tie the Wildcats by a 0-0 final score.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Saint Anselm outshot Wilmington 17-7, holding a 9-2 advantage in shots on target. The Hawks also won the corner kick battle with seven compared to five from the Wildcats.
• Warner earned her second shutout of the season after posting two saves for the Hawks while her counterpart finished the day with nine saves.
• This marked the second-ever meeting between the two programs with Saint Anselm defeating Wilmington, 4-1, last season on Melucci Field.

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