Sept. 3, 2004

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, PA. - The Villanova Wildcats used their heads to register a 2-0 shutout victory over cross-town rival St. Joseph's on Friday at the Villanova Soccer Complex. Senior forward Regina Villari netted two goals, both coming on headers, to propel the Wildcats (3-0-0) to their second shutout victory in as many games. The day was a memorable one for Villanova, as the afternoon started with the Wildcats receiving their 2003 Big East Championship rings in a pre-game ceremony. Villanova dominated play in the first half against the Hawks (0-2-0), out-shooting Saint Joseph's 10-1 in the first 45 minutes of the contest. The `Cats were unable to convert, however, as Hawks' goalkeeper Jen Kuhn saved five first half shots to send the game into the half scoreless. At the 66:19 mark of the second half, Villanova finally got on the scoreboard. Freshman Kaley Guthrie sent a corner kick to the left side of the goal. Villari dove to get her head on the ball and sent a low bouncing header into the right of the net to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. With 19:56 remaining in the contest, Saint Joseph's nearly tied the game up, but a blast off the foot of Megan Schutt sailed just high of the goal. The `Cats then added to their lead at the 83:10 mark in much the same way they scored their first goal. This time the key pass came off the foot of senior forward Laura Johnson. Johnson lofted a high cross to the left post, and Villari headed the ball into the net once again for her second goal of the contest. From there the only thing left in doubt was the Wildcat shutout bid and senior All-America Michelle Biehl along with Laura Koch and company took care of that. Villanova shut down the Hawk offense in the final minutes to seal the 2-0 shutout victory. Junior Kristin Anderson and freshman Kayce Blandford also played well on defense for the Wildcats, who have two consecutive shutouts and 18 in their last 28 games. Sophomore Jillian Loyden earned her second straight shutout in goal for the `Cats, saving one shot on the afternoon. Kuhn took the loss in net for Saint Joseph's despite making a game-high 10 saves. Villanova will get back into action on Sunday, Sept. 5, hosting the Bucknell Bison (1-1-0) at 12:00 p.m., at the Villanova Soccer Complex.