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Wildcats Outlast Lady Riders
McNamara Goal Helps New Jersey Break Through
Despite a heavy advantage in shots, one goal from an unlikely source was all the New Jersey Wildcats could come up with tonight as they outlasted the Long Island Lady Riders 1-0 at Mercer County Community College. Beth McNamara notched her first goal of the season and her first career career goal with the Wildcats to give New Jersey its 10th victory of the season, 24th straight regular season win, and 20th straight home victory dating back to the 2003 season.
The Wildcats dominated throughout with a 34-2 advantage in shots but they found numerous ways to miss against a stingy Long Island defense that shut out its previous four opponents. Karina LeBlanc needed just one save to register the shutout and to increase her season-long shutout streak to 676 minutes. Maria Yatrakis kept the Lady Riders in the game with 13 saves as Long Island lost for the first time after a four-game winning streak. 
McNamara's first career goal with the Wildcats wins the game (Robyn McNeil)
McNamara's goal in the 56th minute saved the Wildcats on a frustrating night on the offensive end of the field. Heather O'Reilly started the play carrying the ball up the right side of the field and into the box. The US Women's National Team member cut the ball back and fed Kelly Hammond near the top of the box, Hammond then fed McNamara, whose 20-yard shot took a deflection before heading into the upper right corner of the goal. The goal was McNamara's first for the Wildcats in 28 games including the 2004 playoffs.
New Jersey threatened often in the first half but Yatrakis and the crossbar were their main nemeses. The Greece National Team keeper stuffed O'Reilly in the 7th minute and the crossbar did the same four minutes later on a dipping volley from long distance.
Long Island's best chance of the game came from long distance in the 14th minute. Penny Stansfield lined up a free kick from that distance and struck it well, but LeBlanc flew to her right to snare the ball.
In the 19th minute, Kate Sands apparently put the Wildcats on the board, but the officiating crew ruled no goal. Yatrakis stuffed Sands from close range but the Wildcats forward was first to the rebound. Her sliding shot from just past the right post banged off the crossbar and appeared to land behind the goal line, but the goal spun out of the goal and the referee and linesman let play continue. On a free kick on the ensuing play, Hammond skimmed the bar from the top of the box.
The Wildcats launched 19 shots at the Long Island goal with McNamara's goal the only successful attempt. Sands had the best chance when she walked into the box all alone after a blown offside trap by the Lady Riders. With just Yatrakis to beat, Sands lined her shot right into the Lady Riders keeper and Yatrakis also managed to stop Lisa Grubb on the rebound.
The Wildcats closed with a flurry as Yatrakis barely tipped a long-range effort from O'Reilly over the bar in the 86th minute before Kacey White lined a shot just wide of the right post three minutes later.
The Wildcats have the 4th of July weekend off before returning to action next Wednesday at Mercer County Community College. The Wildcats seek to continue their 20-game run on home turf against the South Jersey Banshees in a match the kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
LINEUPS:
LONG ISLAND LADY RIDERS: Maria Yatrakis, Gina Prinzivalli, Akilah Duggan, Penny Stansfield, Francesca DeChristoforo (Megan Hillen 79), Kerry McCabe (Lauren Bishar 44), Lisa Burbige (Tori Munro 57), Allison Mullen (Tracy Foraker 73), Erin Ruck, Michelle O'Brien, Grace Hawkins (Paivi Kivisto 73).
NEW JERSEY WILDCATS: Karina LeBlanc, Rochelle Willis, Cat Reddick, Alicia Wilson (Tobin Heath 73), Sarah Dwyer, Beth McNamara, Kacey White, Kelly Hammond, Lisa Grubb, Kate Sands (Elisabeth Redmond 64), Heather O'Reilly.
GOALS:
NJW: McNamara (Hammond) 56th minute
SAVES:
LI: Yatrakis 13; NJW: LeBlanc 1
SHOTS:
LI: 2; NJW: 34 | 
