March 19, 2005

Final Stats

DENVER, Colo. - All three of the Wildcats' goals in the second half trimmed a two-goal deficit to one, but each time Denver (3-2) answered with a goal of their own to restore the margin, and the Pioneers went on to defeat Villanova (4-2) 9-4 on Saturday afternoon. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Wildcats, who had allowed just 16 goals during the streak.

After a scoreless first quarter, Denver scored three times in the second period and went into halftime with a 3-1 lead. Villanova did its best to rally back in the third quarter, scoring three goals in a span of 7:47 to maintain pressure on the Pioneers. The Wildcats trailed 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 after their scoring their goals, but Denver was undeterred from going on to the victory.

The Pioneers carried a 5-4 advantage into the final quarter, and scored twice in a span of 32 seconds midway through the stanza to stretch the lead to three goals. Denver then put the game out of reach with two more goals in the closing minutes. Villanova was hurt by four penalties committed in the period, as the Pioneers tallied three extra-man goals.

The balance of the Wildcat roster showed itself, as Villanova turned the interesting trick of getting one goal apiece from a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior. Junior midfielder Matt Starker scored his team-high 11th goal of the season, while freshman attack Matt Panneton had a goal and an assist. Sophomore Eric Heidenberger netted his fourth goal of the season, and senior Dan Fanelli recorded his sixth goal. Sophomore midfielder Eric Webber notched his first career assist and junior goalie Joe Canuso had four saves in the game.

Villanova outshot Denver 32-30 in the losing effort, including an 18-14 edge in the second half. The fourth-quarter penalties could not be overcome, though, and the Pioneers scored six times on their 14 shots in the final 30 minutes.

The Wildcats return to action next Saturday when they open the five-game CAA schedule with a road contest against Drexel.