April 25, 2009
Final Stats
SMITHFIELD, R.I.- Junior Erica Rybinski produced nine points and the Villanova Wildcats used a 13-goal second half to help post a 23-16 victory over Bryant here in the regular season finale on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats finish the season with an 8-8 mark. That is the most victories since the 2002 squad picked up nine.
Both squads were in the offensive flow early. Mary Green staked Bryant to an early 1-0 lead but the `Cats got goals from Rybinski and two each from seniors Katie Stone and Taylor Lucy to grab a 5-3 edge midway through the first half.
Rybinski would score three more times and Samantha McKillip added a pair as the Wildcats held on to a slim 10-9 advantage at halftime.
Villanova scored the first two goals of the second half courtesy of sophomores Mia Naccarato and Rachel Lasda to build a 12-9 lead and they never trailed again. A spurt of five unanswered goals midway through the second half allowed VU to build an 18-12 cushion and they kept Bryant at bay for the rest of the way to post the 23-16 triumph.
Rybinski ended the day with five goals and four assists. Lucy added four goals and an assist while Lasda tallied three goals. Carly Miller contributed two goals and two assists. Sophomore Maggie Langan and junior Cassie Eure made five saves on the day in net for the Wildcats.
This contest marked Villanova's final game as an independent. The Wildcats begin play as a member of the BIG EAST Conference in 2010.
