Oct. 7, 2006

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Syracuse Orange (5-6-1 overall, 1-6-1 BIG EAST) got a first half goal from Hansen Woodruff and that proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win over the Villanova Wildcats (6-7-1 overall, 2-6-0 BIG EAST) on a overcast afternoon today at the Villanova Soccer Complex.

With the field still damp from morning rains, the footing was tricky and neither team generated a shot on goal in the game's first 20 minutes. In fact, the first exceptional scoring opportunity didn't come until 28:36 when the Orange completed some nifty passing inside the Villanova box. Spencer Schomaker started the play just outside the box on the right side. He fed a pass to Kyle Hall who touched a feed to Woodruff. Woodruff then sent a low blast into the lower left side of the net to put the Orange into the lead.

The goal would stand up all afternoon.

Villanova did not lack for opportunities. The most notable came in the 75th minute. Sophomore Joe Taylor dribbled to the top of the box and drew the defense towards him. He fed junior Mike Del Guercio who was seven yards out and sent a low blast that Syracuse goalkeeper Robert Cavicchia stopped and appeared to bobble. Villanova's Billy Whiteside knocked the ball loose and into the net but the officials ruled that Cavicchia had possession and the goal did not count.

The Wildcats pushed hard in the final ten minutes but their last chance ended in the 88th minute when a Dan DeMasters header sailed wide to the right of the Orange net.

Cavicchia made seven saves in posting the shutout while Villanova's Jason Friel was credited with six saves. Syracuse out-shot Villanova 18-16 on the day.

Next up for Villanova is a visit to Louisville at 1:00 p.m. next Saturday. Please note that time has changed from the originally scheduled 7:00 p.m. kickoff.

Notes: The game today was taped by CN8 and will air locally on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m... Whiteside made his season debut in the second half after missing nearly six weeks of action with a leg injury.