Sept. 26, 2004
Final Stats
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Wildcat sophomore Valerie Grow scored just 3:27 into the game to lead the Villanova women's soccer team to 1-0 shutout victory over Seton Hall University on Sunday afternoon at Owen T. Carroll Field. The win was the Wildcats' fifth straight, improving their record to 9-1-0 overall on the season and 3-0-0 in the BIG EAST. Villanova - ranked 25th in the nation by Soccer Buzz - now has seven shutouts in 10 games this season, and 23 shutouts in its last 35 games dating back to last season. The Pirates fell to 6-2-2 overall on the year and 1-1-0 in conference play with Sunday's loss.
In the fourth minute of play, Wildcat senior Erica Stewart led a Villanova break into Seton Hall territory. Stewart found a streaking Laura Johnson in the center of the field. Johnson then fed a pass across the box to an open Grow on the left side, and the Wildcat sophomore blasted a shot past Seton Hall goalkeeper Amanda Becker into the right corner of the net to give Villanova an early 1-0 lead.
The `Cats controlled the first half of play, out-shooting the Pirates by an 8-5 margin including just one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes of action. Becker saved four shots for Seton Hall, keeping the VU lead at 1-0 heading into intermission.
Taking a 1-0 advantage into the second half, the Wildcats maintained control behind a stifling defense. Villanova nearly extended its lead mid-way through the second half, but a Grow header went off the crossbar keeping it a one-goal contest.
One goal was enough for the Wildcats again on Sunday. Villanova's defense of All-American senior Michelle Biehl, junior Laura Koch, junior Kristin Anderson and freshman Kayce Blandford closed the game out for the `Cats to seal the 1-0 victory.
The Villanova defense held the Pirates to just four shots on goal in the contest. Wildcat goalkeeper Jillian Loyden registered three saves to pick up her sixth shutout. Becker stopped six shots for Seton Hall in net, but took the loss.
Villanova will get back into action on Friday, Oct. 1, hosting the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at 4:00 p.m., at the Villanova Soccer Complex.
