Box Score VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova welcomed Georgetown on Friday, Sept. 14 for the pair's first BIG EAST contest of the season. Despite the slow start from the Wildcats, it did not stop them from snapping the Hoyas' five game winning streak and undefeated season with a 5-2 victory at the Proving Grounds.

Georgetown had control over Villanova just like it had control over every other opponent to this point in the season. The visitors took five shots in the first 18 minutes of play and never let Villanova get one off.

In the 23^rd minute of play and the Hoyas sixth shot of the game, they finally got on the board after midfielder Halle Gill netted one home. If it had not for Erika Miller in net for the 'Cats, the Hoyas would have been on the board much sooner. Only minutes earlier, Miller came up huge in saving back-to-back shots attempted by Cami Osborne.

Although it would not have been a surprise if Georgetown kept the momentum rolling from the way they began the first half, it was not something the Wildcats were going to let happen.

The Georgetown goal was the only thing it took to awaken the Wildcats because minutes later the score was tied 1-1. Ana Sherwood popped a pass through to receiver Emily Clarke where she scored her second goal of the season.

There was now a fire lit under the Wildcats that no one could extinguish. Whether it was a spark from Gill's goal or a spark from Clarke's goal that started the fire, it did not matter because nothing was stopping the 'Cats.

With approximately four minutes left in the first period, VU grabbed another goal to secure a 2-1 lead going into halftime. Megan Vermeil, a staple to the Wildcat's offense, scored from a pass by Riley Dolan who has also been a solid attribute on the field this year as a sophomore.

To end the half, the Hoyas earned a corner that they could not make anything happen from. At this point, GU led 6-4 in shots and 5-2 in corners, but VU held the lead.

Nova picked the second half up right where they left off and were the first ones back on the board with a fresh clock. This time, Lydia Sydnor found the back of the net and scored her fourth goal of the season. Vermeil would be the one to set Sydnor up for this goal, making the score 3-1.

Between the Wildcats' third and fourth goal, the Hoyas were unable to break past the 'Cats and did not get any shot opportunities off. Barely eight minutes had gone by before Villanova scored their second goal of the half.

Attribution was given all around to the Wildcats throughout the evening, as this time it was to Christen Pennington who gave the 'Cats a 4-1 lead. Dolan set Pennington up with the goal after she took a shot from a corner inserted by Pennington herself. Dolan's initial shot was blocked and when she attempted to take another, it was launched in the air. Pennington took advantage of the airborne ball and tapped it in from the front left side of the goal.

When tables turned back in the first quarter and the Wildcats took the reins from the Hoyas, they did not let them go until the last 10 minutes of the game.

Villanova's last goal came with just over 10 minutes of play left in the game just before GU would gain control again. VU made several shot attempts before finally converting on the fifth shot. The procession up to the 'Cats fifth goal was another exciting one like the first of the game.

VU earned back-to-back corners inserted by Pennington. On the second corner Vermeil's shot attempt was blocked, luckily Pennington was nearby to grab the rebound and shoot again. Georgetown goalkeeper, Ciara Weets did not let Pennington's shot by but the ricochet from Weets' save was recovered by Pennington and she fired off another shot, only this time it found its way past Weets. This was Pennington's second goal of not only the game but the season as well and it gave her team a comfortable 5-1 lead over the undefeated Hoyas.

With just under 10 minutes left, Georgetown flipped the table one last time and scored less than two minutes after the Wildcat's last goal of the game.

The Hoyas earned a corner where Ali Cronin was the inserter. Jax van der Veen was the stopper for Georgetown and off that Helena Masiello was set up for a shot that she nailed home making the score 5-2.

Following Georgetown's goal, both teams had two shot attempts apiece, but neither could convert on any, leaving the final score Villanova 5, Georgetown 2.

At the end of the game, the Wildcats led the Hoyas 15-11 in shots, in return the Hoyas led the 'Cats in saves 4-3, and the pair was tied up in corners with 10. It was an outstanding second half performance from the Wildcats that they were able to come out on top in shots and even things up in corners.

Head coach, Joanie Milhous was happy with her team's performance over the Hoyas. "The execution in the second half was a major key to our win," Milhous said. "We were also very pleased with the production from our attacking corners."

After earning its first BIG EAST Conference win of the season, and improving to 3-3 overall, Villanova Field Hockey returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 16 when they face Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J. for a 1 p.m. game.