Sarasota, FL – Melissa Del Valle's 89th-minute winner capped a gritty road performance as the Webber International Women's Soccer team edged New College of Florida on Wednesday afternoon 2-1. Samantha Chitu put Webber ahead early, NCF leveled after the break, and Del Valle sealed it late to deliver the result.
Webber struck first in the 23rd minute when Chitu lashed home her third goal of the season, unassisted, following an early spell that also saw Annabell Norwood rattle the crossbar on a 16th-minute header. The Warriors generated steady pressure down the stretch of the half, with Del Valle testing the keeper twice and Olof Sigurdardottir forcing a save.
NCF flipped momentum after halftime, piling on corners (seven in the second half) and finding an equalizer in the 54th minute through Tereza Cerna. The Warriors' back line—anchored by MaKenzee Feskanin and 90-minute contributor Norwood—weathered the surge, while goalkeeper Francesca Magnotti came up with three saves on the day to keep it level.
With a tie looming, Webber reclaimed control. After a late corner and renewed pressure, Del Valle produced the decisive moment in the 89th minute, slotting her third of the season—also unassisted and officially the game-winner. The midfield trio's work rate (Pia Grosse, Rikke Olufsen, and Del Valle) helped tilt the field back in the closing minutes and secure the away win.
By the Numbers
- Shots: WIU 13, NCF 14
- Shots on Goal: WIU 6, NCF 4
- Corners: WIU 3, NCF 8
- Fouls: WIU 12, NCF 3 (NCF yellow at 31′ to Sofia Hernandez Cruz)
- Goalkeepers: Magnotti (WIU) 90:00, 3 SV, 1 GA; Avaya Wright (NCF) 90:00, 4 SV, 2 GA
- Scoring: WIU — Chitu 23′ (unassisted), Del Valle 89′ (unassisted); NCF — Cerna 54′
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