Feb. 27, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - In its second tournament of the season, Villanova (4-4) won two matches at the Bucknell Invitational this past weekend. The Wildcats earned victories over Grove City (5-4) and George Washington (7-6), while falling to Bucknell (9-3) and Maryland (10-3).
Using strong defense from junior goalie Erin Foley (Chicago, Ill.), Villanova was at its best late in close games. The match against Grove City was tied 3-3 after the third quarter before the Wildcats went on to the victory. Against the Colonials, who defeated Villanova three times last season, Villanova overcame a 4-3 deficit entering the final period to post a 7-6 win.
Foley recorded a career-high 12 saves against Bucknell and followed that effort with 10 stops in the win over Grove City. She totaled 34 saves during the weekend and lowered her season goals-against average to 7.25. Villanova remains among the national defensive leaders, having allowed just 6.88 goals per game through its first eight matches.
Offensively, the Wildcats were paced by junior driver Carla Martinez (Caguas, Puerto Rico). The preseason all-conference pick totaled seven goals and six assists during the tournament. Martinez scored three goals in each of the Villanova wins and assisted on all three goals in the loss to Bucknell. She leads the team with 17 goals and 13 assists for a total of 30 points this season.
Three of the four opponents faced by the Wildcats at Bucknell are ranked in the top 10 of the Collegiate Water Polo Association poll released on February 21. In that poll, Bucknell was slotted sixth, while Maryland was No. 7 and George Washington No. 8.
The results from the first two tournaments have shown the team's ability while allowing the Wildcats to enjoy a quicker start to the season than in 2006. Last year Villanova did not win its fourth game of the season until April 9, 14 games into the campaign. This season, the team is 4-4 through its first eight games in February.
Coming up next for the Wildcats are their first home matches of the season. This Saturday at the Villanova Swim Center, the team will face Siena, George Washington and Queens. The match against Siena is the conference opener for the Wildcats.
NOTES: Martinez and Foley were named the Offensive Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, by the MAAC ... The Wildcats have had eight different players score goals this season, with four players who have scored at least eight goals ... Foley lowered her season goals-against average to 7.71.
