|
Wildcats Win Second Straight
New Jersey Extends Shutout Streak
Christine Latham and Cat Reddick provided the goals and the New Jersey Wildcats defense once again dominated as the Wildcats knocked off the New York Magic 2-0 this afternoon at Mazzella Field on the campus of Iona College. The victory was the second in as many days for the Wildcats on opening weekend and it boosted their regular season winning streak to 16 games.
Playing their second game in less than 24 hours, the Wildcats clearly tired as the game wore on but they still pulled out the win. New Jersey opened the season last night with a 4-0 road victory over the Boston Renegades and now has a 180 minute shutout streak.
Karina LeBlanc kept a clean slate all weekend.
For the second game in a row, Latham opened the scoring for the Wildcats. Just five minutes into the game, Cat Reddick rolled a through ball right down the center of the Magic defense and it found its way to Latham 30 yards out. She carried the ball just inside the box before tucking a shot into the lower left corner.
As expected, fatigue was a factor for the Wildcats but their ability to keep possession of the ball for long periods of time was key. New Jersey outshot New York by a 22-7 margin. Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc did well controlling the defensive end of the field for the Wildcats and was not tested finishing with three saves.
Reddick capped the victory in stunning fashion for the Wildcats when she blasted home a long-range direct free kick in second half stoppage time. Lisa Grubb was fouled 10 yards outside the top left corner of the box and Reddick stepped up and sent a cracker on a line into the upper left corner. The shot was hard enough that Magic keeper Vanessa Scotto got both hands to it but still couldn’t keep it out of the net.
The Wildcats return to action next Friday when they once again hit the road to face the Western Mass Lady Pioneers at 7:30 p.m. at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, MA. The next day, Saturday May 21st, the Wildcats return to New Jersey for their opener when they host the New Hampshire Lady Phantoms at 7:30 p.m. at Mercer County Community College.
Photos: Robyn McNeil
LINEUPS:
NEW JERSEY WILDCATS: Karina LeBlanc, Beth McNamara (Jessie Bruch 35), Cat Reddick, Janine Willis, Kendall Fletcher (Rochelle Willis 22), Jenny Benson (Lisa Grubb 58), Kelly Hammond, Lindsay Tarpley, Kacey White, Christine Latham (Kate Sands 59), Heather O'Reilly.
NEW YORK MAGIC: Vanessa Scotto, Nicole Krzysik, Janine Cappello (Stephanie Bliss 51), Dolores Deasley, Eleri Earnshaw, Kanae Haneishi, Annalie Andersson, Katherine Galanek, Marta Anderson (Lisa Baldwin 21), Vivian Modibotoe, Noelle Meeke.
GOALS:
NJW: Latham (Reddick) 5th minute
NJW: Reddick 90th minute
SAVES:
NJW: LeBlanc 3; NYM: Scotto 10
SHOTS:
NJW: 22, NYM: 7 | 
