Nov. 7, 2003
Box Score
CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. - The Villanova field hockey team, one of the Big East's three regular season champions, was defeated, 5-1 by #17 Boston College in the semifinals of the 2003 Big East Tournament on Friday, Nov. 7 in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The loss drops the 'Cats' final record on the season to 11-7.
Head coach Joanie Milhous's squad came into the game as the tournament's No. 2 seed, thanks to a 4-2 victory over Boston College at Villanova Stadium on Oct. 18.
The Eagles came out with a vengeance, looking to end its four-game losing streak to Villanova, including defeats in each of the last two Big East Tournament semifinals. But it was the 'Cats who seized the lead, with Leah Lisausky cashing in on a penalty corner 14:21 into the game. Christina Lugones and Vanessa Pizzulli assisted her.
Shockingly, Lisausky's goal came on what turned out to be Villanova's lone shot and penalty corner of the night, as Boston College took over the game. The Eagles evened the score less than a minute after Lisausky's goal with an unassisted goal by Sara York. The shot trickled into the net after York's collision with Villanova goalkeeper Erin Scott.
Scott recorded a game-high four saves on the night.
York struck again 13 minutes later on an assist by Tara Fernandes. The Eagles extended their lead to 3-1 on a goal by Kim French with just one second remaining in the half.
Following intermission it was more of the same, as BC set the tone with an unassisted goal by Kerri Kulesza just over one minute into the half. Sabrina Lazzari rounded out the scoring with an unassisted goal with about eight minutes remaining in the game.
For the evening, Boston College held a 16-1 advantage in shots and an 18-1 edge in penalty corners. The Eagles will play for the 2003 Big East Tournament Championship on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium against the University of Connecticut. The Huskies, the tournament's number one seed, advanced with a 3-0 victory over Rutgers in the evening's first semifinal.
For the Wildcats, the game marked the last for an outstanding trio of seniors: Colleen Helms, Leah Lisausky and Christina Lugones.
