Sept. 10, 2002

Final Stats

The Villanova University field hockey team overcame a 3-goal second-half deficit to defeat cross-town rival Drexel, 4-3 in double overtime. The win puts the 'Cats' record at 3-1, while the Dragons drop to 1-2. Fittingly, all of Villanova's wins have come in overtime.

Drexel came out firing and jumped to a 1-0 lead just :49 seconds into the game, when senior forward Kristina Burbich notched her second goal of the season. Burbich took a pass from Caliann Bogovic and Kristina Backenstose and put it into the back of the net. Drexel took that 1-0 lead into halftime.

Early in the second half, senior forward Sherri Geis converted a penalty stroke to give the Dragons a 2-0 advantage. It was Geis' first goal of the season. Drexel struck again when senior forward Kristina Backenstose beat a diving Meghan Helwig for her third tally of the season.

'Nova would not quit as they mounted a relentless offensive attack, resulting in three quick scores. Villanova got on the scoreboard when freshman Rory Rogers poked a shot past the Delaware keeper for her first career goal. Less than a minute later, Rogers found an open Kelly Driscoll who beat the keeper, and closed the gap to one. Keeping the momentum going, Leah Lisausky converted a corner from Christina Lugones and Vanessa Pizzulli to even the score at three, with seven minutes left to play.

Stellar defense from both sides resulted in a deadlock after the first overtime. That type of play would continue on into the second overtime until Leah Lisausky took a feed from Colleen Helms and poked it into the corner of the net, giving the 'Cats another hard-fought victory.

Meghan Helwig had several clutch saves, finishing the night with five. Villanova was lead offensively by Leah Lisausky with two goals, Rory Rogers with a goal and an assist and Colleen Helms with two assists.

Villanova now packs its bags and heads to Syracuse for the Big East-Big Ten tournament. Villanova plays Ohio State Friday at 6:00pm and Indiana Sunday at 10:00am.