The Wilson Bruins played host on Thursday to the defending Moore League champions—a title they prefer to keep to themselves.  And with a 1-0 win, off a first-half Emily Dillon goal, the Bruins took a big step towards wresting control of the league trophy away from the Poly Jackrabbits.

The two teams were in very different rhythms, with Poly playing their third game in four days, while Wilson was trying to shake off the rust of not practicing or training much, or playing a game in the last ten days.  Play was a little, let’s say looser than it has been lately, with less of the brutal physicality that’s come to accompany this rivalry.  Essentially, each team got four decent looks, and one of Wilson’s went in, while none of Poly’s did.

“I did think it was better soccer today [than in our first game],” said Poly coach Teri Collins.  “And I thought we played better in defeat than in the tie…I was by no means disappointed in our effort.”

In the tenth minute a goal scored by Wilson’s Kim Albeno was negated by an offsides whistle, drawing the ire of the Bruins sideline.  Emily Dillon put their anxiety to rest, as she has so often, with a great goal from the right corner of the box, striking it to the far side of the net, beyond the Poly keeper.  The 35th minute score was all the Bruins would need.

Poly’s best two chances came on a Jazmine Rhodes free kick from the bubble, which Wilson keeper Breegan Saller dove and tipped just wide of the goal; and on a late try that saw the ball richochet off the Saller, but so slowly that she was able to recover and stop the next shot with just seconds left on the clock. 

“These have really been tough ones the last few years,” admitted Wilson coach Jason Kirkwood.  “Our girls toughed it out—it doesn’t hurt to have Emily Dillon on your side.”

Wilson now sits at 5-0-1 in league and would need to suffer a few surprising defeates to not win the league title this year, while Poly falls to 5-1-2.