March 27, 2005

Final Stats

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Three straight goals at the start of the fourth quarter put the game out of reach, and Villanova (5-2, 1-0 CAA) defeated Drexel (7-2, 0-1), 8-5, on Saturday afternoon in the conference opener for both teams.

The Wildcats led 5-4 heading into the final period, but senior midfielder Dan Fanelli (Wantagh, N.Y.) scored his second goal of the game 4:12 into the quarter to make it a two-goal game. Fanelli's goal was one of two extra-man scores for Villanova in the period. The Wildcats sealed the victory with a pair of goals in a span of 1:01 late in the period. Sophomore midfielder Eric Webber (Denver, Colo.) scored with 5:55 remaining, and junior midfielder Matt Starker (Summit, N.J.) scored the other man-up goal with 4:54 left.

Despite being outshot 41-29 for the game, including 26-12 in the second half, Villanova hung on for the critical conference win. Seven different players scored goals for the Wildcats, who netted four straight tallies in the first quarter to take an early 4-1 lead. The Dragons opened the scoring with a goal by Jesse Rumble just 39 seconds into the contest, but shortly after, freshman attack Matt Panneton (Niskayuna, N.Y.) and sophomore midfielder Mike Haas (North Wales, Pa.) scored back-to-back goals in a span of 1:03.

Drexel scored the only two goals of the fourth quarter to close the margin to 5-4 heading into the fourth quarter, but Villanova's scoring spurt in the final frame proved to be the difference. Junior goalie Joe Canuso (Moorestown, N.J.) made 12 saves in the net for the Wildcats, including nine in the second half alone. He recorded five saves during the decisive fourth quarter.

Villanova returns to action at home on Monday afternoon at 1 p.m. The Wildcats will play a rescheduled game against Notre Dame. The original date of March 8 was postponed due to a snowstorm in the Philadelphia area.