Wilkerson Scores Two Goals in 3-2 Win over NMU - LEWIS OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Aug. 28, 2005

ROMEOVILLE, Ill.--A defender with a knack for finding the net is a rare find in soccer, but Lewis University sophomore Allison Wilkerson has shown she can be a tremendous threat for the Flyers.

Wilkerson, who scored two goals and had three assists last season, added to her career totals by knocking in a pair of goals, including the game winner, against Northern Michigan and helping Lewis to a 3-2 victory Sunday afternoon.

"Allison did a great job up and down the field for us today," said Lewis head coach Bill Bruno. "Without her, we lose 2-1 today."

Junior Jenna Volpi staked a 1-0 lead for Lewis with an unassisted goal at 28:25. Senior Loren Pellizzari and NMU goalkeeper Karen LeBlanc collided in the goal box as the two were playing a 50-50 ball. As the pair crumpled to the ground, Volpi scooped up the loose ball and planted it in the back of the net.

NMU (1-1) peppered the Flyers with 14 shots in the first half, but Lewis goalkeeper Lindsay Frederick remained solid, posting five saves.

Wilkerson gave the Flyers some breathing room with her first goal at 68:01. On a free kick from just inside midfield, she launched a ball towards the goal that landed in the box and then bounded over goalkeeper Tabitha Magnan's head to give Lewis a 2-0 lead.

NMU answered four and a half minutes later when Renee LeBlanc nudged in a header off of a loose ball that was served in by Sarah Scarpace at 72:28.

Wilkerson then found the net again when she launched a 30-yard free kick from the right sideline into the back left corner of the goal at 85:19 to give Lewis a 3-1 lead.

With 32 seconds left in the game, NMU scored again to close to 3-2, but couldn't muster anything in the waning seconds.

"This was a good win, a regional win, against a quality team," said Bruno. "After losing a tough game 1-0 yesterday, to come back and get a win today was gratifying."

Lewis evens its record at 1-1 with the win and will next play Tuesday, August 30. The Flyers will host cross-town rival St. Francis in a 4 p.m. match.