4

0

Welsh Helps Wildcats Extend Winning Streak
Unbeaten New Jersey Cruises Past Long Island

As the latest addition to the New Jersey Wildcats lineup, Christie Welsh didn’t take long to make her presence known. The US Women’s National Team forward scored just 6:24 into the game as the Wildcats notched a 4-0 victory over the Long Island Lady Riders in W-League action at Stony Brook University.

Both Welsh and Heather O’Reilly finished the game with a goal and an assist and Kelly Hammond and Cat Reddick also scored for the Wildcats, who improved to a W-League best 6-0 on the season.

O’Reilly started the scoring play on the opening goal when she carried the ball up the middle and slipped a pass through to Welsh. The Wildcats forward ran onto the ball and tucked a first-time left-footed shot into the lower right corner from just inside the box for her first Wildcats goal.

Maria Yatrakis had a busy day in goal for the Lady Riders and her first big save of the game came in the 31st minute. Yatrakis came off her line to rob O’Reilly from close range. On the subsequent loose ball, Lindsay Tarpley cracked a shot from the top of box that Yatrakis tipped off the right post.

O’Reilly added to the lead in the 35th minute off a feed from Welsh. Hammond started the play when she controlled the ball 25 yards out and played a pass to Welsh at the top of the box. Welsh turned and laid a pass in for O’Reilly, who took a touch before sliding a 10-yard shot past Yatrakis.

Early in the second half, Yatrakis was at it again stuffing a toe poke from Welsh in the 50th minute. O’Reilly had two close calls in the next three minutes. She curled a long left-footed shot off the left post and then touched a shot over the bar moments later.

Hammond boosted the Wildcats lead to 3-0 in the 54th minute off a nice individual effort. Welsh flicked a pass on to Hammond, who battled a defender for the ball before cracking a 25-yard left-footed shot into the upper right corner of the goal.

Reddick moved up from her center back position to provide the late-game highlights. The USWNT defender posted her second goal of the season when she headed in a corner kick from Kacey White in the 85th minute. She also added a few more dramatic moments including a 40-yard run into the box that ended with second-half substitute goalkeeper Meghan Frey touching her toe poke off the right post.

Wildcats fans will get their first look at Welsh this Saturday night as the Wildcats return to action when they host the Western Mass Lady Pioneers at 7:30 p.m. at Mercer County Community College.