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Wildcats Top Lady Voltage
White Leads Scoring Effort

Boosted by a selection to the W-League Team of the Week this past week, New Jersey Wildcats midfielder Kacey White matched her season output in the first four games in just 90 minutes as the Wildcats topped the Vermont Lady Voltage 3-1 at Mercer County Community College. White posted a goal and two assists to double her season totals as the Wildcats claimed their fifth straight to start the season.

While the Wildcats did claim the victory, the Lady Voltage snapped their season-opening scoreless streak at 393 minutes. Caroline Vanderpool snapped the shutout run in the 31st minute for Vermont, which dropped to 2-2 in its inaugural W-League season. New Jersey held a 25-3 advantage in shots but were frequently turned back by US Women’s National Team goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill. Lisa Grubb and Heather O’Reilly also scored for the Wildcats.

New Jersey opened the scoring early when Grubb struck 6:52 into the game. White carried the ball up the right side and slid a hard cross to Grubb in the middle for her to tuck into the open goal. The goal was the first of the season for Grubb.

After Luckenbill stuffed O’Reilly in the 13th minute, the Wildcats forward got her revenge one minute later when she took a short corner kick from White and cracked a right-footer just inside the near post from just inside the box.

After Luckenbill robbed Kelly Hammond in the 20th minute, Vanderpool broke the ice for the opposition. Vanderpool received the ball with her back to the goal 25 yards out and spun to her left before floating a right-footed shot just under the bar.

Luckenbill frequently held off the Wildcats the rest of the way including a stop on White in the 33rd minute, a diving save on O’Reilly in the 53rd minute, and flying saves on Grubb and White in the 72nd and 76th minutes.

New Jersey finally broke through again in stoppage time off a fine individual effort from White. Moments after Luckenbill stuffed O’Reilly from close range off a long ball from Bonnie Young, White weaved past three defenders inside the box before rolling a shot under Luckenbill.