Sept. 1, 2010
Final Stats
LEWISBURG, Pa . - Freshman Joseph Schmid made his first college goal one to remember.
Schmid, one of four Wildcat newcomers to see action in the team's season opener, sent a shot in from 25 yards that skipped off Bucknell goalkeeper Tommy Caso to give VU a 2-1 overtime victory over the Bison in a game played here before 896 fans on an 83 degree night. Both Wildcat goals came from freshmen making their college debuts.
"Our depth really helped us tonight," stated VU head coach Tom Carlin. "We were able to rotate a number of guys on a warm night against a good Bucknell team that is strong and physical. I thought we did a good job controlling tempo. Our guys really responded."
Villanova journeyed here to open the 2010 campaign against the squad selected as the overwhelming favorite in the Patriot League. The Bison posted a 17-6 record in 2009.
Bucknell broke up a scoreless duel with just 29 seconds remaining in the first half when Ryan Sappington took advantage of a failed clearing attempt to send a shot past VU junior Chris Bresnahan. Villanova owned a 5-3 edge in shots in the first 45 minutes.
"The goal came off a set piece that I thought we defended pretty well," noted Carlin. "It was unfortunate but when we came out in the second half we responded and really created good scoring chances."
The Wildcats drew even in the 58th minute with senior captain Nick Rouzier setting up another newcomer, freshman Dylan Renna. Rouzier found Renna with a long feed that the rookie converted at 58:31 to knot the game at one. Sophomore Kyle Soroka used a crafty fake to help spring Renna free after the pass landed.
"It was a great feed from Nick Rouzier that started the play," Carlin stated. "Renna and Soroka really worked well together all night and on this play Soroka made a fake that drew the defenders and Renna took the ball and put it home."
At the end of regulation the two teams were even in shots (10) and goals (one each). It was left to Schmid to break the deadlock at 96:18 with an unassisted goal that gave the `Cats the win.
VU ended the night with a 12-11 advantage in shots and a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.
"It's play we've seen Schmidy make so often with his club team," stated Carlin. "He made a move and gave himself some space and tucked one into the net."
The Wildcats next travel to Philadelphia on Saturday to meet Philadelphia Soccer Six rival Drexel in a match that begins at 3:00 p.m.
"This is a good way to start the season but we know this is just one game," stated Carlin. "We have another road game against a good team on Saturday. We have been in this position before and I hope we have learned from last year about how important it is to be in the moment and treat each game as its own."
