Sept. 5, 2004

VILLANOVA, PA. - Freshman Nikki Mabery scored the first two goals of her collegiate career and sophomore Megan Farmer added a third goal for the Wildcats as the 22nd ranked Villanova women's soccer team shutout the Bucknell Bison, 3-0, on Sunday at the Villanova Soccer Complex. With the win, the `Cats remained perfect thus far in 2004 at 4-0-0. The Bison fell to 1-2-0 on the year with the loss. It was a well-rounded effort from the start for Villanova as the Wildcat defense kept the ball away from the Bison, allowing the `Cats' offense to dominate possession. Villanova had a number of chances early, but it wasn't until the 38th minute that the Wildcats scored the game's first goal. Senior forward Laura Johnson sent a lead pass right on the money into the center of the box where Mabery was waiting. The Villanova freshman found the back of the net for her first career goal to give the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage. Just 2:47 into the second half, the `Cats struck again and once again Mabery was the culprit. Farmer put a touch pass across the box to the left of the net to Mabery, who beat Bucknell keeper Katie Dry to extend the lead to 2-0. The Wildcats wound down the scoring at the 65:49 mark when Farmer took hold of a breakaway pass from freshman Stacia Hartung and sent a hard liner into the right of the net. The Farmer goal was her first of the season, and helped the `Cats seal what would be a 3-0 victory. Villanova posted its third shutout in four games this season. The Wildcat defense - of Laura Koch, Kristin Anderson, Kayce Blandford and Kelly Breslin - held the Bison offense to just two shots in the game. Villanova out-shot Bucknell 19-2 in the game. Wildcat goalkeepers Jillian Loyden and Amanda Chuda combined on the shutout. Loyden played the first 71-plus minutes making one save. Chuda came on the see her first collegiate action and played the final 18-plus minutes. Dry took the loss in goal for Bucknell, despite making a game-high eight saves. Villanova will get back into action on Friday, Sept. 10th, taking on the Princeton Tigers at 2:30 p.m., in the first game of the University of Pennsylvania Tournament in Philadelphia.