Sept. 19, 2001

VILLANOVA, Pa. - An early goal by freshman Jonathan Lopuski (Montville Township, N.J.) gave Villanova a lead it never relinquished en route to a 3-1 victory over the Temple Owls on Wednesday afternoon at the Villanova Soccer Complex.

Lopuski notched his second goal in two games when he accepted a soft feed from sophomore Scott Rodemer (Doylestown, Pa.) and beat Owl goalkeeper Patrick Hannigan at the 16:25 mark of the first period. Villanova held that lead into intermission.

Sophomore Dan Massimini (Downington, Pa.) scored at the 56:24 mark to give the Wildcats a 2-0 cushion. A blast from the top of the box by Lopuski hit the cross bar and caromed in front of the net. Massimini collected the rebounded, waited and sent a low shot along the turf that eluded Hannigan.

With Temple pressing in an effort to get on the scoreboard, Villanova took advantage later in the second half. Massimini led freshman Chris Blatz (Great River, N.Y.) perfectly and Blatz went in alone on Hannigan. His chip shot from the right side of the box went over Hannigan's outstretched hands at the 72:31 mark to give the 'Cats a 3-0 edge.

Temple ended Wildcat goalkeeper Sean Teesdale's shutout bid at the 84:16 mark. Nate Webb collected a deflected corner kick and found a spot between Teesdale and the short side of the net.

With the victory, its first of the season, Villanova is 1-3-0 overall, 1-0-0 in the Philadelphia Soccer Seven. Temple falls to 0-3-1 overall, 0-2-0 in the Soccer Seven. The Wildcats return to action on Sunday afternoon in a Big East game at the University of Pittsburgh.