Sept. 6, 2009
Box Score
Villanova, Pa. - Continuing the theme of early scoring, the Villanova (2-1) field hockey team came out of the gate running as they defeated Fairfield University (1-2) 3-1 at University Field in Fairfield, Connecticut. The win solidified the Wildcats' second victory of the weekend while on the road.
Just 1:29 into the match, junior Lauren Wuzzardo (Bridgeton, N.J.) blasted a shot past Stag goalie Caitlin O'Donnell and tallied the first goal of the game on an unassisted play. The notch gave the Wildcats an early 1-0 advantage and the emotional boost needed to remain dominate for the remainder of play. The goal also marks the third contest in a row where points have been scored within the first three minutes of game time.
The Wildcats took the energy and confidence from Wuzzardo's shot and continued to remain in control in the early minutes. Just ten minutes later and 13:49 into the half, junior Meredith Sabatini (Haddonfield, N.J.) connected with redshirt junior Dana Ramsden (Woolwich Township, N.J.) for another goal, increasing the lead to 2-0.
Fairfield continued to battle and in the 26th minute earned a corner which resulted in a score. Melanie Leo gave a quick pass to Anne Nieuwenhuis inside the circle which found its way past Villanova keeper Maura McCormick (Forty Fort, Pa.), making the scoreboard 2-1 in favor of the Wildcats.
Without skipping a beat, Meredith Sabatini and Lauren Wuzzardo kept pounding the Fairfield cage to finish out the half; however, two big saves by Fairfield goalie Caitlin O'Donnell and a defensive safe by Amanda Sullivan kept the ball from hitting the backboard.
The Wildcats kept up their barrage of the opposing cage in the second half and Meredith Sabatini came up with two shots which were defensively saved by Fairfield's Melanie Leo and Anne Nieuwenhuis to begin the stanza. Repeating a play from yesterday, Villanova junior Sam Haas (Warrington, Pa.) came up with a rebound off the far post to score an unassisted goal in the 48th minute and lock the game up 3-1.
Again splitting time in cage, Villanova goalies Maura McCormick and sophomore Megan Goelz (Yardley, Pa.) each had two saves in the victory. The Wildcats outshot the Stags 14-8 and forced goalie O'Donnell to make 7 saves in the loss. Fairfield also accounted a remarkable 4 defensive saves in 70 minutes of play.
Villanova continues their season on the road when they enter the Vonnie Gros Classic at West Chester University next weekend. The Wildcats face #4 UNC at 4pm on Friday, September 11th and Appalachian State at 6:30pm on Saturday, September 12th.
