VILLANOVA, Pa.- The rain may have scared off a few fans, but that did not stop Villanova from giving the fans who braved the element a thrilling overtime win. To start off the weekend's contents, the Wildcats hosted the Indiana Hoosiers in a home opener where they earned their first victory of the season. Villanova defeated Indiana 3-2 in overtime to improve to 1-1 on the season, leaving the Hoosiers 1-2.

In this matchup where the two teams met up for the fifth time in history, Villanova finally turned the tables.

"Indiana is a very strong team and without a doubt will be successful this season," said head coach Joanie Milhous.

Throughout the contest possession shifted back and forth between the opponents. It was not until the end of the game when the last goal went in did one team convey complete dominance.

Indiana was first on the board only seven minutes into the game when Kelsey Geise scored off a corner assisted by inserter Nora Aucker and stopper Rylee Pearson.  It did not take long for Villanova to answer back, nearly four minutes later the Wildcats tied it up, 1-1. Emily Clarke would receive a pass from Riley Dolan that she would send to the back of the net to tie the game.

For the next 24 minutes Villanova and Indiana would work hard going back and forth between possessions. Indiana was tenacious in the opening frame, drawing five penalty corners and five shots over Villanova's one corner and four shots.

The Wildcats came out in the second frame with vigor, dominating on the offensive end in the first 11 minutes. Villanova had five shot attempts and finally converted on the fifth attempt in the 47^th minute of play, taking the lead 2-1. Lexi DiGennaro tracked down a rebound off a penalty corner shot by Ashley Thomas that was saved by IU goal keeper Shelby Querry.

Nerves remained high around the Proving Grounds as the last 24 minutes would be played out. Villanova would have three more shot attempts until the last minutes approached. In the remaining five minutes of the game, the Hoosiers gave every effort they had, drawing three attack corners. As time ran out, IU would insert their last corner attempt where they would draw a foul that would set Aucker up for penalty stroke. She smoothly converted on the stroke sending the contest into overtime.

From there it would not take long from the start whistle of the sudden victory overtime for the Wildcats to secure their first win of the season. It took no longer than 0.49 seconds for VU to bring it down the right side of the field, get it into the circle and send one home. Lydia Sydnor received a pass inside and fought hard to find an opening around Indiana defenders. Once she caught glimpse of an open window she sent in a backhanded shot from the center of the arc to end it there in overtime with a 3-2 victory.

"I am extremely proud of our win over Indiana," said Milhous. "This overtime win is definitely a momentum builder of great things to come."

Looking Ahead: Sunday, Sept. 2 | 12 p.m. | Lehigh University | Villanova Field Hockey Field
The Wildcats will return home Sunday, Sept. 2 for a 12 p.m. contest against Lehigh University. Villanova has won 13 straight over the Mountain Hawks and this will be the pair's first contest since the 'Cats 10-1 victory in 2009. Lehigh is 0-2 on the season falling to Lock Haven 1-0 and Sacred Heart 2-1. Two games into the season, Lehigh is led by Lenke Havas' single goal and Maddie Leavitt's single assist. In goal for the Mountain Hawks, Paige Innarella has saved 17 shots on 34 shots faced and has allowed three goals.