Feb. 19, 2005
Final Stats
HAMILTON, N.Y. - In the season opener for both teams, Colgate (1-0) scored the go-ahead goal with 10:23 left in the game, and added an insurance goal with just over two minutes left to defeat Villanova (0-1) 8-6 on Saturday afternoon at Tyler Field.
Junior midfielder Matt Starker (Summit, N.J.) scored his fourth goal of the game just 55 seconds into the fourth quarter to tie the game at 6-6, but Villanova was unable to regain the advantage during the remainder of the period.
The Wildcats outshot the Raiders 33-20 for the game, including an 8-7 edge in the decisive final quarter. However, Colgate midfielder Matt Lalli scored an unassisted goal at the 10:23 mark to give the Raiders the lead for good in a game that featured four ties and two lead changes. Villanova pressed for an equalizer over the next several minutes, before Rob Ryan added the insurance goal with 2:13 remaining.
Starker, who was second on the team in goals scored last season, tallied three of his four scores in the first half on Saturday. Senior midfielder Dan Fanelli (Wantagh, N.Y.) added a goal and an assist, while classmate Marc Creegan (West Babylon, N.Y.) added the team's other goal. Junior attack Brendan O'Donnell (Mountain Lakes, N.J.) and freshman attack Matt Panneton (Niskayuna, N.Y.) each added assists.
Lalli led Colgate with three goals and assisted on the late insurance goal, while Brendan Hurley added two goals and an assist.
Early in the game, the Wildcats erased a quick 2-0 deficit with three unanswered goals for a 3-2 lead at the end of the first period. After the Raiders scored a pair of goals in the first four minutes of the game, Fanelli and Starker scored back-to-back goals in just over a minute midway through the frame. Starker added another goal with 3:13 left in the quarter to give Villanova its first lead.
The Wildcats led 5-4 at halftime, but saw that advantage disappear as Colgate scored goals early and late in the third quarter to take a 6-5 lead, setting up the decisive plays in the fourth quarter.
Villanova was able to control the ball effectively throughout the game, controlling 14-of-17 faceoff opportunities and converting 8-of-9 clear attempts. The Raiders, meanwhile, were successful in clearing 16-of-17 attempts, and scored two of their goals in extra-man situations.
Junior goalie Joe Canuso (Moorestown, N.J.) went the distance in the net and recorded four saves. Andrew Jarolimek had 11 saves for Colgate.
Villanova is back in action for its home opener next Saturday against Binghamton. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Villanova Stadium. The Wildcats have won each of the two previous meetings against the Bearcats, including a 10-6 decision last season.
