Aug. 31, 2003

Box Score

STANFORD, CALIF. - The Villanova field hockey team picked up its first win of the 2003 season on Aug. 31 with a 3-1 win over Stanford. The 'Cats were powered by second half goals from Sarah Francis, Rory Rogers and Leah Lisausky. Freshman Erin Scott picked up her first career victory in goal, saving six shots.

Villanova (1-1) came into the game looking to rebound from a 2-0 loss to Pacific University a day earlier, while the contest represented Stanford's season opener.

The Cardinal got on the board first, with freshman Cara-Lynn Lopresti scoring an unassisted goal at the 34:25 mark. Stanford took the lead into halftime, despite being outshot 8-1, and without registering a single penalty corner, compared to the 'Cats' four.

But the Wildcats came out of the locker room with continued aggressiveness. Sophomore Sarah Francis scored Villanova's first goal of the season 10 minutes and 37 seconds in. Her unassisted score got past Stanford backup goalkeeper Ana Kralovec, who entered the game at the beginning of the second half.

Villanova took its first lead of the season just seven minutes later, as sophomore Rory Rogers lifted a shot past Kralovec on an assist from freshman Sara Schmidt. Senior Leah Lisausky finished out the game's scoring with an unassisted goal at the 69:59 mark, providing the Wildcats with insurance down the stretch.

Once the Wildcat offense finally got going for head coach Joanie Q. Milhous, the defense was able to preserve the victory. Freshman goalkeeper Erin Scott settled in during her second collegiate start, registering six saves in her 70 minutes of work.

Junior Vanessa Pizzulli added a defensive save, as Villanova held off several Stanford scoring opportunities throughout the second half.

For the game, the 'Cats outshot the Cardinal 20-12. Stanford won the battle of penalty corners, 9-8.

With the victory, Villanova improves to 2-0 all-time against the Cardinal.

The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 3 for a 7:00 p.m. game at Lafayette.