April 19, 2007
Final Stats
VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova Wildcats staged a frantic rally from a seven goal second half deficit but were unable to catch the Lafayette Leopards, who recorded a 15-14 victory over the `Cats on Thursday evening at Villanova Stadium.
The two squads traded early goals, with Samantha McKillip scoring for the Wildcats (6-7 overall) at 26:18. But Lafayette (1-14 overall) carried the action for much of the half and built an 8-4 advantage at the half. Lafayette's Maddy Booth had two goals and an assist in the period while senior Christina Bahrs scored a pair for the `Cats.
Lafayette continued its momentum in the second half, scoring the first three goals of the period as Maria Drehwing, Casey Sharkey and Kristin Ruminski scored to push the advantage to 11-4. Junior Stevie McFadden gave Villanova its first score of the second half at 25:48 before Booth answered with another Lafayette goal at 21:57 to make it 12-5.
Villanova, however, scored six of the game's next seven goals over a 10 minute span to draw within 13-11 with 12:05 left in regulation. Bahrs and Erica Rybinski netted a pair of goals in that stretch while McFadden, Shannon Sullivan and Taylor McKenna also scored for the Wildcats.
But the Leopards got two huge goals from Julia Bateman at 3:42 and 1:47 of the half to push their edge to 15-11. Then Bahrs answered for VU at 1:37, McFadden at 52 seconds and Bahrs again with 26 seconds left to close the gap to 15-14. Villanova won the ensuing draw and made a move towards the net that the Leopards thwarted. Possession was awarded to Lafayette after a whistle at six seconds and the clock ran out as the teams battled for control of the ball.
Bahrs paced the Wildcats with six goals and an assist on the night. McFadden added three goals and an assist. Ruminski led Lafayette with four goals and an assist while Booth contributed three goals and a pair of assists. Jessica Brozena made 14 saves in net for Villanova while Christine McDougal stopped 10 shots for Lafayette.
Next up for Villanova is a road date on Sunday at Mount Saint Mary's at 3:00 p.m.
NOTES: A trio of Villanova seniors, including Bahrs, Brozena and Marissa Lucy, were honored in pre-game ceremonies in their final home appearance at Villanova Stadium ... The Wildcats have added a game to the regular season schedule to replace an earlier date against Sacred Haeart that was cancelled due to poor weather. Villanova is to meet St. Francis (Pa.) in Loretto on Sunday, April 29, at 2:00 p.m.
