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Depth Propels Wildcats Past Magic
White, Sands, Esposito Spur Victory Over New York
While much is made of the star power of the top players on the New Jersey Wildcats, the W-League pacesetters proved today that they also have depth as a weapon as well. With all four of their United States Women's National Team players out of the lineup due to the upcoming game against Canada, Kate Sands and Kacey White posted a goal and an assist each and Domenique Esposito came off the bench to connect twice as the Wildcats rolled past the New York Magic 5-0 at Mercer County Community College.
With Cat Reddick, Heather O'Reilly, Lindsay Tarpley, and Christie Welsh away in Virginia for USWNT camp, the Wildcats didn't miss a beat outshooting New York 17-7 as keeper Karina LeBlanc needed just three saves to extend her season-long shutout streak to 586 minutes. Lisa Grubb also scored for the Wildcats, who improved to 8-0 while extending their home winning streak to 18 games.
The Wildcats opened the scoring in the 37th minute thanks to some strong flank play up the left side. Kelly Hammond sent Sands up the left side and she cut the ball back to her right foot before sending a cross toward the far post. While holding off a defender, Grubb brought the ball down off her chest and cracked a left-footed shot from 15 yards out into the upper right corner of the goal.
The Wildcats came alive in the second half cracking 10 shots at Magic keeper Vanessa Scotto after the break and scoring on four of them. Sands made the score 2-0 in the 52nd minute off an assist from White, who controlled a loose ball before cutting a pass behind the defense. Sands ran onto the ball and rolled a shot off the right post.
Esposito came off the bench for Sands in the 69th minute and immediately connected on the first of back-to-back goals two minutes later. Hammond stole the ball and slid it through quickly to Esposito, who poked a shot under a charging Scotto on her first touch of the game.
Esposito made it 4-0 in the 81st minute after a dynamic run by Alicia Wilson through three defenders into the box. She eventually cut the ball back to Esposito, who stuffed her shot through the hands of Scotto. White accounted for the final goal on a 40-yard solo run in the 83rd minute.
The Wildcats return to W-League action this Friday when they hit the road to face the South Jersey Banshees at 7:30 p.m. at Winslow High School. They return home to Mercer County Community College on June 29 at 7:30 p.m. when they host the Long Island Lady Riders.
LINEUPS:
NEW YORK MAGIC: Vanessa Scotto, Eleri Earnshaw, Dolores Deasley, Nicole Krzysik, Kanae Haneishi, Katherine Galanek (Janine Cappello 86), Sian Williams, Annelie Andersson (Magnolia Perez 68), Robin McCullouch, Lisa Baldwin (Gretchen Miller 73), Stephanie Bliss (Jennifer De La Hoz 45).
NEW JERSEY WILDCATS: Karina LeBlanc, Beth McNamara, Rochelle Willis, Janine Willis (Bonnie Young 35), Sarah Dwyer (Alicia Wilson 73), Kacey White, Jen Redmond (Carolyn Blank 62), Kelly Hammond, Tobin Heath (Rebecca Moros 76), Kate Sands (Domenique Esposito 69), Lisa Grubb.
GOALS:
NJW: Grubb (Sands) 37th minute
NJW: Sands (White) 52nd minute
NJW: Esposito (Hammond) 71st minute
NJW: Esposito (Wilson) 81st minute
NJW: White 83rd minute
SAVES:
NYM: Scotto 6; NJW: LeBlanc 3
SHOTS:
NYM: 7; NJW: 17 | 
