(WILMINGTON, Ohio) - Alex Wilson's 89th-minute hat-trick propels the Quakers over Heidelberg in their conference opener 3-2.

The first half was relatively quiet and under control in the first few minutes. Heidelberg forced Emma Storck to make a save in the 10th minute. Wilmington countered with an offensive possession and took two shots within three minutes, but both were off target. Storck made another save in the 19th minute as the teams traded attacks once again. 

Delaney Benjamin took a shot off target for the Quakers as the Student Princes pushed hard on the Wilmington defense. Storck made back-to-back diving saves in the 30th minute to hold Heidelberg to no goals. Alex Wilson threatened in the 37th minute, forcing Heidelberg's goalkeeper to make a save. The first half closed 0-0.

Heidelberg was on the offensive right out of the half. Brianna Bratz scored in the 49th minute to put the Student Princes up 1-0 early. Just a minute later, MJ Little played Alex Wilson who slotted the ball to the right into the back of the net to tie the game 1-1 at the 50th minute. 

Eight minutes later, Jordan Snyder found Little who played Wilson through and she beat the Heidelberg keeper for her second goal in the 58th minute. Wilmington held onto its 2-1 lead until the 74th minute when Olivia Malicoat fouled an attacker for a penalty kick. Sydney Hewer stepped up for the Student Princes and placed it to the right to tie the game 2-2.

The teams remained in a deadlock until the 89th minute. MJ Little collected the ball, dribbled, and played Wilson through who beat her defender and scored to clinch her hat-trick. With only one minute remaining, the Quakers held onto their 3-2 lead to secure the victory in their conference opener. 
 

Notables

• Alex Wilson scored three goals en route to her second career hat-trick. Wilson's last hat-trick was in 2022 against Mount Union. She leads the team with eight goals and five game-winning goals. 

• MJ Little recorded three assists, contributing to all of Wilson's goals. Little leads the team with four assists. She took one shot on target.

• Jordan Snyder recorded her first assist of the season. 

• Emma Storck made seven saves.

• Wilmington took 15 shots (six on-target). Heidelberg had 14 shots (nine on-target).

• The Quakers took four corners. The Student Princes had three corner kicks.
   

What's Up Next

Wilmington will host Muskingum on Wednesday, October 8, at 7:00 pm. The Quakers have won five straight games against Muskingum.