WILMINGTON — Two first-half goals by Mackenzie Hilferty gave St. Elizabeth all the offense it needed in a 2-1 soccer victory April 8 at Banning Park. The win evened the Vikings’ record at 2-2, matching their win total from all of last season.
Both of Hilferty’s goals came under similar circumstances, separated by 21 minutes. She put St. Elizabeth on top early, getting a steal on a goal kick and sending the ball back into the net past Wolves goalkeeper Gabriella Rodriguez in the fourth minute.
She struck again in the 25th, once more interrupting a goal kick and connecting from about 25 yards out. Both goals were unassisted.
When they weren’t scoring goal, the Vikings were in control of the action. Their pressure resulted in repeated corner kicks, although they were not able to convert any. Rodriguez was busy, coming up with several saves to keep the game close.
The Wolves tried to take advantage of a St. E’s turnover late in the first half, but Sirriya Cruz came up with a key stop in goal.
After an early stretch of pressure from the Vikings at the outset of the second half, Aspira swung the momentum. The Vikings’ defense, however, did a good job of keeping their opponents from quality chances. Aspira did send one shot off a post about halfway through the second half.
The Wolves cut the St. Elizabeth lead in half in the 65th minute. A ball sent into the box in front of Cruz sat untouched by the Vikings’ defense, and Alinda Lopez-Basilio took advantage, knocking it in. But that was their last significant offensive opportunity.
St. Elizabeth outshot the Wolves, 21-9, and had an 11-3 edge in corner kicks. Cruz finished with six saves. The Vikings will try to “elicpse” last year’s win total when they visit First State Military Academy on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. It is the first of four straight road matches.
Rodriguez had 12 saves. Aspira (1-3) will travel to Sussex Central on Saturday for a noon start.
Photos by Mike Lang.
