Oct. 5, 2010
VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova field hockey team (3-6, 0-2 BIG EAST) travels to Lawrenceville, N.J. Wednesday afternoon to face Rider in a non-conference matchup.
Villanova this Season: Villanova enters Wednesday's contest with a 3-6 overall record, claiming victories over Columbia, Penn and La Salle. Four of VU"s losses were to top-20 teams: No. 1 North Carolina, No. 2 Maryland, No. 6 Connecticut and No. 18 Drexel.
Villanova's Last Outing: The Wildcats brought home a 2-0 shutout victory on Sunday evening versus the La Salle Explorers. Senior forward Dana Ramsden (Woolwich Township, N.J./Kingsway Regional) netted both goals for the Wildcats to cap off a week of non-conference opponents.
'Nova Offense: Eight different players have found the back of the cage for the Wildcats with Dana Ramsden leading the way with five goals. All seven seniors, Lauren Wuzzardo (Bridgeton, N.J./Cumberland Regional), Meredith Sabatini (Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield Memorial), Meghan Ryan (Wayne, Pa./Villa Maria), Abby Sordoni (Shavertown, Pa./Wyoming Seminary), Sam Haas (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) and Ally Smith (Mullica Hill, N.J./Kingsway Regional) have netted goals for `Nova this season in addition to junior Jordan Lynn (Charlottesville, Va./Western Albemarle).
'Nova Defense: Keeper Megan Goelz (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) and the Wildcats defense have faced four ranked opponents in No. 1 UNC, No. 2 Maryland, No. 6 Connecticut and No. 18 Drexel thus far this season. Goelz has encountered 147 shots through nine games, playing all 630 minutes in cage. She holds a 2.66 goals-against average and a .711 save percentage.
In addition to Goelz, Kristen Davila (Holmdel, N.J./Holmdel), Olivia Maggitti (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria), Lynn and Smith have provided a solid defensive line in the Villanova backfield. Davila has posted four defensive saves while Smith and Lynn each have one.
Rider's Last Outing: On the strength of two goals and an assist by junior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) and a shutout from junior goalie Rebecca Lotito (Oceanport/Shore Regional), the Rider University field hockey team won its third game in a row, defeating Temple University on Wednesday afternoon.
Rider this Season: The Broncs are 6-3 this season and have captured wins over La Salle, Colgate, Penn, Holy Cross, West Chester and Temple heading into the Villanova matchup. Compared to their opposition, Rider has outshot their opponents 207-71 and have captured 114 penalty corners compared to just 12 for the competition they've faced this year.
Broncs Offense: Sandra Penas leads the team with 10 goals and four assists on the season while Virginia Egusquiza and Megan Pisani have combined for 13 goals and 12 assists.
Broncs Defense: Rachel Yacovett has played over 350 minutes in cage and posts a 1.79 goals-against average, while Rebecca Lotito has recorded 280 minutes at the position as well. Lotito boasts a 1.00 goals-against average and a .765 save percentage after playing five games.
Last Time vs. Rider (9/3/08): The Wildcats registered their second straight victory as they beat Rider 1-0 at Villanova Stadium. Dana Ramsden scored the game-winner and her second goal of the season as a penalty corner was called as time expired. Sophomore keeper Maura McCormick recorded her second shutout of the season and finished the game with two saves while the Villanova defense only allowed the Broncs six shots.
