Aug. 31, 2004

Final Stats

Baltimore, Md. - The 22nd ranked Villanova Wildcats scored in the first 10 minutes of play to defeat Loyola College 1-0 in women's soccer action at Alumnae Field in Baltimore, Md. on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 31st. The Wildcats improved their record to 2-0-0 on the season with the victory, while the Greyhounds fell to 1-1.

Both teams played extremely physical throughout the entire 90 minutes, but it was Villanova which was able to get on the board early to seal the win. Freshman Kaley Guthrie scored 7:43 into the game for her first collegiate goal. A hard shot by sophomore Valerie Grow was deflected off the cross bar by Loyola keeper Erica Niemann. The ball then bounced directly in front of Guthrie, who sent a shot past Niemann in net for the game's first goal.

The Greyhounds had several chances to score but were unable to capitalize on them as the Wildcat defense led by senior Michelle Biehl and junior Laura Koch held strong. Villanova sophomore goalkeeper Jillian Loyden made a game-high nine saves to post the first shutout of her career. Niemann led the Greyhounds with five saves in net.

The Wildcats will get back into action on Friday, Sept. 3, hosting the St. Joseph's Hawks at 4:00 p.m. The game will be Villanova's 2004 home opener at the Villanova Soccer Complex.