Box Score LYNDHURST, N.J. – An organized, ball-winning Felician College defense posted a shutout and junior forward Macki Groves (Millville, N.J./Millville) scored in the 61st minute as the Golden Falcons earned a 1-0 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over visiting Wilmington (Del.) University on Saturday night at the Lyndhurst Recreation Complex. The match marked the 2014 CACC opener for both schools.
A light rain fell for most of the contest, and the wet ball on the artificial surface proved challenging to handle for both offenses. Groves, however, was active early for Felician (2-1-1, 1-0 CACC). The reigning CACC Player of the Week got off five shots in the first 30 minutes, including one that rolled into the left post and wide, one that was cleared off the goal line by a Wilmington defender, and one that skipped on the damp turf past an open right side of the net. The Golden Falcons also came up empty on five corner kicks in the scoreless first period.
But with fewer than 30 minutes to play, the Wildcats were whistled for a foul about 35 yards from the goal line. Felician senior Kristen Toropiw (Hopatcong, N.J./Hopatcong) sent a high-arcing free kick into the eight-yard box. As a player from each team jumped, the ball bounded off of a defender's hip. Senior Kirsten Mortelliti (Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton) was able to push a pass to Groves, who touched it low and inside the right post.
For the rest of the night, Golden Falcon defenders continued break up the Wildcat attack. Wilmington (0-3, 0-1) finished with 13 shots for the night, but only three were on goal. Junior goalkeeper Julia Sheridan(Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Community) stopped all of those, while center backs Carly Brantner (Waldwick, N.J./Eastern Christian) and Toropiw helped misdirect several others. Senior Samantha Petosa (Spotswood, N.J./Spotswood) and junior Erica Evans (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Knolls) contained effectively at outside back for all 90 minutes of the clean sheet.
Groves led all players on the night with seven shots, leading the hosts to a 14-13 edge. Felician also led in corner kicks, 8-3. Wilmington freshman keeper Kierstyn Williams (Middletown, Del./Appoquinimink) was credited with three saves, and teammate Rebecca Sowers' (Beltsville, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) four shots topped the Wildcat offense.
Sheridan earned her second shutout of the season and the fifth of her career.
