Box Score NEW YORK, N.Y. –  The Wildcats traveled to New York on Sunday, Oct. 21 for a non-conference matchup against the Columbia Lions. Villanova defeated Columbia 4-3, in a hard-fought double overtime battle.

The Wildcats improve to 8-8 overall and remain 3-3 in BIG EAST play while Columbia falls to 7-7 overall.

Villanova dominated on the offensive end to start the game and took six shots before the Lions could get one off. Unfortunately for the 'Cats, the Lions were first on the board after one shot attempt. They took the early 1-0 lead with 20 minutes left in the first.

Isabella Collins, a substitute for Columbia, scored the first goal of the game and quickly scored the second. Collins received yet another pass from Danielle Buttinger and scored on a fast break to give her team the two-point advantage.

The Lions would have gone into the half with a 2-0 lead if it was not for an Emily Clarke goal. With less than a minute left in the half Clarke scored after a scramble in front of the net.

At the half, Villanova led 10-5 in shots and 4-2 in corners and Columbia led in saves, 5-2.

The second half started off quick for Columbia. Three minutes in, Katherine Cavanaugh deflected in a pass by Kelsey Farkas outside the circle and gave the Lions a 3-1 lead.

Just as Villanova dominated the first minutes of the first half, Columbia surely dominated in the same manner in the start of the second. The Lions fired off four shots after their third goal and did not allow Villanova to get off any between that time.

Villanova finally had a shot opportunity and scored like the Lions had with their first goal. Lydia Sydnor scored on a pass from Megan Vermeil in a two on one situation and cut the lead to 3-2.

After Sydnor's goal, play became a back and forth battle where no team dominated more over the other. In the 56^th minute Villanova fought hard to tie the score and got off three back-to-back shots where the third ended in an Emma McLaughlin goal. With just under fifteen minutes remaining the score was tied up, 3-3.

For the remainder of regulation neither team could secure a goal and the game was forced into overtime. Both teams were unable score in the first overtime which resulted in a second set of 10 minutes.

In the first minute and a half of double overtime, the Lions fired off three quick shots. Erika Miller came up big for the Wildcats and recorded two back to back saves to keep the Wildcats alive. It was late in the frame when Ashley Thomas passed the ball over to Ana Sherwood who beat Katie Dempsey on the right side and scored the game-winner for the Wildcats.

This contest marked the fifth overtime for the Wildcats this season and they are now 4-1 in overtime play.

Villanova and Columbia ended the afternoon tied with 23 shots and eight corners, VU tallied 10 saves , nine of which were saved by Miller, and CU tallied 6 all saved by Dempsey.

Villanova returns to action Friday, Oct. 26 for a 12 p.m. game in Norfolk, Va. against BIG EAST opponent Old Dominion. The Wildcats and Monarchs face each other in a battle that determines BIG EAST Tournament fate. The victor of the contest will earn a fourth seed spot in the conference tournament and travel to Liberty in Lynchburg, Va. Saturday, Nov. 3.