LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Villanova Wildcats traveled to Lawrenceville, N.J. for a non-conference matchup against Rider University on Sunday, Sept. 23. The Wildcats walked away with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Broncs. Villanova improved to 4-5 overall and Rider fell to 4-4.

The game began quick and Rider was the first to get on the board. Nearly five minutes into play, Carly Brosious netted one in for the Broncs and got the game rolling after she received a pass from Julia Divorra.

It was not long before Villanova answered back with a goal of its own. After two corner attempts by Nova, Emily Clarke found the back of the net and tied the score, 1-1.

Rider kept control after Clarke's goal and the Broncs pressure on Nova's defense never let up. They were able to get off two shots to the Wildcats one before they could convert on the third. Marion Waterkeyn finished a pass from Gi Morganti into an empty cage and put the Broncs up 2-1 with 17 minutes left in the first. Waterkeyn's goal sparked a fire within Rider and their dominance over Villanova only picked up.

After Rider's second goal of the game Villanova did not get any shot attempts off until the last two minutes in he first. The Broncs were able to penetrate Nova's defense and get off four shots, all saved by Erika Miller.

To end the first half Clarke fired off a shot that was saved by Rider's keeper Lena Vandam. The Wildcats were able to earn two penalty corners but could not convert either opportunity into a goal. In one half of play, VU had taken four shots, five corners and Miller recorded four saves; RU had taken eight shots, three corners and Vandam tallied two saves while Alison Amen recorded one defensive save.

At the start of the second half Villanova came out strong. Megan Vermeil got a shot off just wide of the goal within the first minute of action. Competition continued to transition back and forth between the Wildcats and Broncs as each traded off shots.

Eventually, Abby Siana scored for the Wildcats after she received a pass from Emma McLaughlin. Siana's goal tied things up 2-2 with 26 minutes remaining in the second half. For the next 12 minutes, play returned going back and forth between Nova and the Broncs.

The Wildcat pressure was able to earn a corner where Mclaughlin launched one in that bounced back to Megan Vermeil who was able to finish. Villanova took a 3-2 lead with 13 minutes left but Rider had plenty of time to even the score.

Rider was able to earn four corner opportunities and get off two shots during a two-minute span. A few minutes later the Broncs earned two more corners and scored. Tess Coorens scored off an assist by Tess van Ommeren and Waterkeyn. The last three minutes Villanova did not get any opportunity to take the game. RU held the last few possessions of regulation and by the end the score was still 3-3 and headed into overtime.

Eight and a half minutes had passed and within that time Villanova had gotten off the first shot and Rider had the next three. The Wildcats earned a corner that was inserted by Pennington. Siana returned the ball to Pennington and she finished into an empty cage giving the 'Cats a 4-3 victory.

Villanova finished the contest with 12 shots, nine of which were on goal, eight corners and eight saves. Rider finished the contest and led Nova in shots (16) and corners (13).

Erika Miller came up big for the Wildcats yet again and recorded seven of the team's eight saves and now has a total of 52 saves on the season.

"We are proud of our second half adjustments and attacking play," coach Milhous said. "Our composure and confidence in overtime was great help in securing the win."

Villanova Field Hockey returns to play on Friday, Sept. 28 when it travels to Providence, R.I. to face off against Providence College at 6 p.m.