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Wildcats Beat Boston - Finally
League Leaders Shrug Off Two Hour, 20 Minute Delay to Top Renegades
Despite having to wait an extra two hours for their opposition to arrive at the stadium, the New Jersey Wildcats were still able to tough out a 2-0 victory over the Boston Renegades at Mercer County Community College. Kacey White and Lisa Grubb connected for the Wildcats, who extended a number of streaks with the win including a 27-game regular season winning streak.
The game was scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff but due to travel delays, Boston did not even arrive at the stadium until 9:30 p.m. On a nice summer night with over a thousand fans in attendance, the Renegades scrambled to organize their team and started the game with just 10 players and a mix-and-match of red and black jerseys. Defender Jenny Anderson even played the first three minutes in goal until regular keeper Arianna Criscione could join the action. 
Karina LeBlanc extended her shutout streak to 811 minutes. (Robyn McNeil)
With the victory, the Wildcats improved to 13-0 while Boston, second in the Northeast Division behind the Wildcats, fell to 8-5. The win also extended New Jersey's home winning streak to 22 games dating back to the 2003 season. Karina LeBlanc posted three saves in goal to extend her season-long shutout streak to an amazing 811 minutes. Overall, the Wildcats have not allowed a goal in 779 minutes - a franchise record.
With the game finally kicking off at 9:50 p.m., the Wildcats held the upper hand in the first half with a 6-1 advantage in shots. White opened the scoring early on one of her easiest finishes of the season. Kelly Hammond cut in behind the defense and ended up one-on-one with Criscione. Her slow rolling shot beat the Renegades keeper and as it headed toward the left post, White raced in and buried it into the open goal.
The rest of the first half was uneventful with Hammond providing the only serious chances. The Wildcats center midfielder cracked a shot over the bar off a scramble in the box in the 13th minute and repeated the feat with another shot just over the bar in the 42nd minute.
The second half started with a flurry as Boston put together their best chances of the game. Two minutes after the break, Sarah Johnson forced LeBlanc to dive to parry her shot and less than two minutes after that, Meghan Welcome headed a shot over the bar from close range. 
Lisa Grubb contributed a highlight reel goal. (Robyn McNeil)
The Wildcats moved midfielder Alicia Wilson to forward to start the second half and the move almost paid immediate dividends. Following a brilliant turn, Wilson cut into the box behind the defense but shot right at Criscione from just inside the box. Two minutes later, Wilson beat Criscione to a cross but headed the ball over the bar.
After Criscione made a fantastic diving save on Hammond in the 60th minute, the Wildcats capped the scoring in the 70th minute thanks to a long-range blast from Grubb. Wilson controlled a long ball and laid a pass off to Grubb, who sent a 30-yard shot into the upper left corner.
The Wildcats conclude their quest for a second straight perfect regular season on Sunday in their toughest match of the year. New Jersey heads to Ottawa for a game on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Keith Harris Stadium. The teams met last season in the W-League semifinal with the Wildcats claiming a 2-1 win.
LINEUPS:
BOSTON RENEGADES: Arianna Criscione, Jenny Anderson, Carly Williamson, Becky Sauerbrunn, Caitlin Fisher, Denise Thomas (Sarah Rahko 34), Lisa Stoia, Meghan Welcome (Anumari Ylesmaki 68), Zoe Avner (Stacey Stocco 34), Marisa Brown, Caitlin Burke (Sarah Johnson 34, Marta Makila 86).
NEW JERSEY WILDCATS: Karina LeBlanc, Beth McNamara (Domenique Esposito 83), Rachel Unitt, Alicia Wilson, Bonnie Young, Rochelle Willis, Kacey White, Kelly Hammond, Rebecca Moros (Sarah Dwyer 45), Kate Sands (Lisa Grubb 45), Jen Redmond (Kristen Edmonds 75).
GOALS:
NJW: White (Hammond) 8th minute
NJW: Grubb (Wilson) 79th minute
SAVES:
BOS: Criscione 3; NJW: LeBlanc 3
SHOTS:
BOS: 7; NJW: 13 | 
