Box Score Aug. 29, 2014 Final Stats
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Villanova Wildcats dropped a 1-0 decision to the Marist Red Foxes in the season opener for both teams played here Friday night at Tenney Stadium.
"It was a tough, physical game and we didn't win enough battles," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "It was a back and forth game that could have been very different for us if we had been able to get that first goal. We had four or five chances to get that first (one) and take the edge out of the game."
Prior to the match Carlin noted the need for a quality first 45 minutes. At first glance it looked like the Wildcats had wasted little time in accomplishing that, as they scored what appeared to be the game's initial goal in the opening minute. However, a foul was called and the tally waved off.
"I thought we brought good energy in the first 10 minutes," said Carlin, "but as the half went on, they physically grabbed a hold of the game."
There was another promising Villanova bid for a score in the contest's early stages from senior Oscar Umar that bounced off the crossbar.
Later in the period, though, the Red Foxes began to create more in the Wildcats' final third. It was left to sophomore goalkeeper Will Steiner to come through with a huge save in his first regular season career start when he turned away a penalty kick bid by the Red Foxes in the 23rd minute.
Neither team gained an advantage through the first 45 minutes on the scoreboard. It was tied at zero at halftime.
The Wildcats nearly knocked in the game's first goal early in the second half as Aaron Dennis and Hayden Harr combined on a nifty exchange. But Harr's shot was saved by Red Foxes' goalkeeper Mark Rajovic to maintain the deadlock.
Marist made the decisive play in the 64th minute. Mario Vukadinovic found Myles Ashong, who sent the ball into the net behind Steiner at 63:11.
"It went back and forth and we made a mistake in our own end," stated Carlin.
Villanova kept pushing in an effort to knot the contest but was unable to come up with the equalizer.
"We scored nine goals in our pre-season scrimmages but weren't able to come up with one tonight," Carlin noted. "Marist got the goal and the result."
Marist owned a 13-11 edge in shots on the night while Villanova had the advantage on corner kicks 8-3. Senior Aaron Dennis led the Wildcats with three shots while classmate Harr had a pair, including the strong bid early in the second half.
Steiner made five saves in goal while Rajovic came up with three saves in posting the clean sheet for Marist.
"This is just the start of our journey - there is a long way to go," said Carlin. "Now we have to take the lessons from this and apply them when we go to Drexel."
This was the first of three consecutive road dates for the Wildcats, who visit Philly Soccer Six rival Drexel on Tuesday night in Philadelphia.
