Villanova, Pa.- The Villanova Wildcats (7-4-3, 3-1-1 BIG EAST) got off to a fast start scoring two goals in the opening 10 minutes and held on to defeat the DePaul Blue Demons 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.

"Massive win for our program," said head coach Chris McLain. "It has been since 2011 the last time a Villanova program beat DePaul. Our players came out hungry and confident. The goal was to make them uncomfortable and we as a staff couldn't ask for a better start to the game."

The Wildcats first goal was netted in the ninth minute when Allison Breed kick a ball off the end line right in front of the goal.  There was Chloe O'Neill who was able to tap a rocket off her foot and into the back of the goal.  Just one minute later Kristin Barbour was able to bend a free kick just over 20 yards out into the goal just under the crossbar to push the Wildcats up 2-0. 

The score remained 2-0 after the first half.  It was just four minutes into the second when Kristen Vinciguerra made a short pass to Niki Molina.  There the sophomore was able to get her shot, just outside the top of the box to fall just under the crossbar.  The Blue Demon's keeper got her hand on it but the ball had enough power to cross the goal line and push Villanova up 3-0. 

DePaul was able to score one in the 58^th minute when Jackie Batliner placed a ball of a free kick right into the middle of the box.  There, Bina Saipi was able to head the ball into the opposite corner to get the Blue Demons on the board. 

McLain continued, "we have played 4 out of the 5 first games against the leaders in The Big East standings. To be 3-1-1 at this point is fantastic. The players are staying focused and playing one game at a time. DePaul has always been a tough team to play. We knew it was going to be a war but the players trusted each other and just focused on their role. They excelled masterfully."

Rebecca Gartner played all 90 minutes in goal and the graduate student had three saves on the day to give her 39 on the season.

Villanova will return to action next Sunday, October 20^th at 2:00 P.M.ET at Marquette. 

McLain shared about next week's matchup, "Marquette has always been a great team to play. They are well coached and very dangerous. That staff will have them prepared. I know we have gotten the best of them the last two games but don't let that fool you... this will be a great match up and will be a showcase of two great teams."