Oct. 18, 2003

Box Score

VILLANOVA, PA. - The Villanova field hockey team upset #12 Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Villanova Stadium. With the win, the Wildcats move into first place in the BIG EAST Conference with a 9-5 overall record, 3-1 in the league. The victory was Villanova's fourth in a row, as they increased their undefeated home mark to 4-0. It also marks the fourth consecutive win for Villanova over rival BC.

The Eagles came into the game with the league's top goalkeeper, Lauren Hill. But the Villanova offense, playing with extreme intensity, wasted little time in getting to her. Freshman Sara Schmidt scored less than five minutes into the contest on an assist from Christina Lugones to give the 'Cats an early advantage.

Following a goal by BC's Sara York that tied the score, Leah Lisausky cashed in on a penalty corner with assists credited to Lugones and Vanessa Pizzulli. The game was scoreless for the final 20 minutes of the half, giving 'Nova a 2-1 edge at the intermission.

Rory Rogers increased the lead to 3-1, knocking in a pass from Sarah Francis in front of the goal. Following Rogers' score, the Boston College offense went on the attack. The Eagles tallied 12 shots in the second half and 15 penalty corners, but managed just a single goal, by Virginia Drozd with 14 minutes left off a penalty corner.

Lugones continued her recent offensive resurgence with a goal off a rebound to seal the game with nine minutes to go.

Freshman Erin Scott made seven saves in perhaps her best performance of the year to pick up the victory. Pizzulli also had a defensive save late in the second half, as Villanova's defense succeeded in stopping the Eagles' offense, particularly one of the BIG EAST's top goal-scorers, Kim French.

The Wildcats will return to action against La Salle in the third game of a four-game home stand on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 4:00 p.m. at Villanova Stadium.