April 27, 2002

EASTON, Pa. --- In the semi-final round of the Patriot League Championships held on Saturday, April 27, the #3 seeded Villanova Wildcats dropped a heartbreaking 10-9 double-overtime loss to second seeded American University. With the loss, the 'Cats close out the 2002 season with a 9-8 overall record and 4-3 mark in league play.

The Wildcats jumped out of the gates to begin the first half on a 4-0 run behind three goals from All-Patriot League second team selection Sarah DePeters (Rochester, N.Y./Irondequoit). After American's Gina Rotano got the Eagles on the board at the 6:42 mark, DePeters then tallied her fourth goal of the afternoon off of a free position shot with 51 seconds left to give the 'Cats a 5-1 advantage at the break. Villanova's defense, led by sophomores Lauren Ferrara (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee), an All-Patriot League first team selection, and Rachel Damalouji (Huntingtown, Md./The Calverton School) who combined for six groundballs and five caused turnovers in the game, was tremendous in the first 30 minutes of play as they limited the Eagles to one goal.

To begin the second half, the Eagles rallied scoring four unanswered goals within the first ten minutes to even the score at five. Villanova quickly responded with DePeters' fifth goal at the 15:20 mark and junior Meghan Carolan (Hicksville, N.Y./Hicksville) followed that up with back-to-back goals of her own as Villanova opened up an 8-5 lead with 8:20 left on the clock. From that point on, American would use a 3-0 run down the stretch including a goal with 53 seconds remaining to even the score and send the game into extra periods.

In the first overtime session, Katy Zaweski's shot 1:05 into the period gave the Eagles their first lead of the contest. Carolan, however, answered right back with just under 15 seconds to play to tie the game at nine. With 2:22 on the clock in the second overtime, Gina Rapoli beat Wildcat goalkeeper Brandy Greneir (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) to record the game-winning goal. The Eagles held the ball for almost all of the final two minutes to seal the come from behind victory.

In the loss for the Wildcats, DePeters led all players with five goals in her last collegiate game while Carolan tallied four. Greneir made 11 saves in the net for the 'Cats.