Oct. 11, 2002

Box Score

Villanova, Pa. On Friday, October 11, the Villanova field hockey team won a thriller over Big East rival Syracuse, when sophomore Kelly Driscoll beat Syracuse keeper Audrey Latsko in the second set of strokes. With the win, Villanova improves to 2-1 in the Big East and 7-6 overall. The loss drops Syracuse to 7-6 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

With a steady rain falling throughout the game, it was both defenses that set the tone. Several scoring opportunities for both sides were thwarted by strong back-line play or spectacular saves. The game remained deadlocked at zero until halftime.

Villanova rallied at the half, beginning the second period with a flurry of shots on net. Then, with nine minutes gone by, senior Kristen Strocen fed freshman Sarah Francis who crossed the ball to an open Christina Lugones waiting by the left post. Lugones deflected the ball into the net and Villanova took a 1-0 lead. The goal was Lugones' fifth of the season.

Syracuse began to mount a late rally, but were stymied by the stellar play of the Villanova defensive unit.

With ten minutes left to go in the game, the Orangewomen drew a penalty corner. Missy Grosman put a shot past a diving Meghan Helwig to knot the game at one.

Villanova dominated both overtime periods, putting five shots on goal, but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.

With two overtimes not enough time to determine a winner, the game went to penalty strokes. The penalty stroke sets were highlighted by several amazing saves by Villanova goalkeeper Meghan Helwig. After the first round of strokes, the set was tied at two. Villanova received conversions from Sarah Burdette and Vanessa Pizzulli. Villanova jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second set of strokes on conversions from Burdette and Strocen, but Syracuse rallied back with two goals. Following a Syracuse miss, Kelly Driscoll stepped up and calmly put a shot through the Syracuse keeper's pads, giving Villanova a 2-1 victory.

Villanova's next test comes on Sunday when they face Radford in a 2:00 game being played at Duke University. The Wildcats will remain in North Carolina to face the Blue Devils on Monday at 3:00.