March 13, 2010

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Villanova freshman Jack Rice had two goals and sophomore Kevin Cunningham added one goal and one assist to lead the Wildcats, but it was not enough to secure the victory at Franklin Field where VU was defeated by Penn, 8-7.

The Wildcats held a two goal lead to start the game with scores coming from Rice and Cunningham, and found themselves ahead 3-0 after a Penn own-goal through the nine minute mark into the second quarter. The Quakers went on to net four unanswered scores before VU freshman Will Casertano found the back of the net off a C.J. Small assist to even the game at four-all going into halftime.

To begin the third quarter, Penn's Rob McMullen scored his second of a game-high four goals to give the Quakers a slight 5-4 lead, but Villanova's Rice answered off an Andrew Henrich pass to tie the game for the third time of the day at 5-5.

In the final fifteen minutes, Villanova senior Mark Scioscia and Michael Vigilante both scored unassisted goals within two minutes of one another to give the Wildcats a 7-6 lead, but with two minutes remaining Penn's Corey Winkoff evened the game once again off a John Conneely pass with time winding down. Just thirteen seconds later, Penn's Rob McMullen scored the game winner which was enough to secure the game for the Quakers, defeating cross-town rival Villanova, 8-7, for the final.

Villanova dominated in the face-off X courtesy of sophomore Nolan Vihlen, winning 12 of 19 attempts, and also dominated in defensive ground balls, tallying 23 to Penn's 17.

Penn's Chris Casey and Joe Hegener combined for six saves in goal while VU's Dan Guierrez made seven saves in the defeat.

Villanova will have a week off before they travel to the University of Delaware on March 20th. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.