Aug. 27, 2006

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Goals from junior Farris Fakhoury (Parlin, N.J.) and freshman Victor Faustino (Laytonsville, Md.) along with solid defense propelled Villanova (2-0-0) to a 2-0 non-conference win over the University of Richmond (0-1-1) here this afternoon.

Morning rains made the natural grass surface at the Villanova Soccer Complex rather damp but the wet weather held off for the duration of the match. After a tentative first 20 minutes which produced a total of only four shots by both squads - none on net - Villanova broke through in the 23rd minute. Sophomore Joe Taylor (Southampton, Pa.) dribbled through the center of the field and fed a perfect ball to Fakhoury near the top of the box. Fakhoury took one step and tucked a right footed shot along the turf, just inside the far post to give the `Cats a 1-0 edge.

That lead would stand up for the balance of the afternoon.

Richmond forced Villanova junior goalie Jason Friel (Dublin, Pa.) to make two big second half stops, one on Kyle Richards and another on Anders Walleck. But he was equal to the task and wound up with his first shutout of the season, and eighth of his career.

A goal by Faustino at 72:02 gave Villanova a 2-0 lead. Freshman Mike Seamon pushed the ball through traffic to Faustino, who drilled a shot towards the net that caught a piece of a Spider defender before finding the back of the net.

"It was a good effort for us," stated Villanova head coach Larry Sullivan. "In the first 20 minutes I thought we were able to establish ourselves and then made some counter attacks that were effective. Our defense is getting better. The pieces fit together well. Now we just have to learn to get better."

On Wednesday night the Wildcats begin a stretch of six straight contests away from home at Saint Joseph's.