Sept. 1, 2000
Villanova, Pa.----- Despite a goal and an assist from senior co-captain Nicole DiMaggio (West Chester, Pa.) and a career-high 16 saves from goalkeeper Meghan Helwig (Basking Ridge, N.J.), the Wildcats dropped their home opener to the Drexel Dragons in a heartbreaking overtime loss.
At the end of 100 minutes of play Villanova and Drexel found themselves deadlocked at 2-2 sending the contest into penalty strokes. Drexel out shot the Wildcats 2-1 in the strokeoff as they improved to 4-0 on the season. With the loss Villanova falls to 1-1 in the 2000 campaign
The Wildcats managed to grab a 1-0 lead in the first half when DiMaggio scored her third goal of the season at the 28:38 mark. DiMaggio collected a pass from junior, co-captain Brooke Bergmann (Fallsington, Pa.), and found the back of the net.
Drexel evened the score at 1-1 when Christina Backenstose scored on a rebound off the pads of Helwig with 14:08 remaining in the first half.
The Wildcats wasted little time in the second frame scoring 1:49 into the half. Freshman Leah Lisausky (Morrisville, Pa.) blasted a shot from the top of the circle off a penalty corner. Sophomore Kristen Strocen (Philadelphia, Pa.) and DiMaggio were credited with the assists.
Villanova's stellar defense helped Helwig hold off a feisty Drexel offense who released 32 shots inside the circle. Sophomore Sarah Burdette (Washington Crossing, Pa.), who contained Drexel's top scorer, and junior Krissy Malchitsky (Perkiomenville, Pa.), who made a defensive save late in regulation, led the defensive unit helping to maintain the 2-1 lead.
Despite the Wildcats defensive efforts, Drexel found a way to beat Helwig scoring the tying goal with 5:42 remaining when Backenstose scored her second unassisted goal of an evening.
In the two sudden-death overtime periods, the Wildcats and the Dragons both had opportunities to put the game away but were unable to capitalize. Villanova saw several shots sail wide on penalty corners and the Drexel hit the post twice.
Villanova returns to action on Tuesday, September 5, when they host the Lafayette Leopards. Face-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
