Villanova, Pa.- Connor Kirst nets the game winner once again in overtime to make the final 10-9 Wildcats. The junior midfielder scored 2:31 into the first overtime on a hard shot that bounced off the ground and into the back of the goal.
Freshman Matt Campbell led Villanova's offense from the start netting the first goal of the game on a dish from Keegan Khan. Campbell finished with six goals, including the final two in regulation to tie the game up at nine and forced overtime.
Villanova had a 3-2 at the end of the first with Khan having assisted on all three goals. He would later net a goal with just one second to go in the second quarter to put the Wildcats up 6-3 at halftime.
The third quarter was all Pride. Hofstra netted all six goals in the quarter with Ryan Tierney scoring three of them.
The Wildcats made a switch in goalies towards the end of the third quarter. Nick Testa made the start and had seven saves before freshman Will Vitton came in and picked up his first career win. The rookie played his first minutes in the blue and white and finished with three saves while allowing no goals.
Villanova netted three goals in the fourth quarter and played tight defense to not allow a Hofstra goal. Khan found Kirst for the first on a man-up opportunity with Campbell getting his final two with the last on a dish from Colin Crowley.
In overtime Brian Herber and Dan Fisher faced off on the center dot with the Wildcats winning on the violation by the Pride. Patrick Daly and Kirst both launched shots wide and with the possession clock winding down Khan placed a shot on goal that was saved by Robert Casey, Hofstra's goalkeeper but bounced out of play. The Wildcats kept the ball and Kirst was able to score the game winner.
TJ Comizio had a game high seven ground balls and caused two turnovers to give him 42 in his career. Fisher and Zack Ornstein won 12 of 21 faceoffs while the Wildcats scooped up 15 ground balls.
Villanova will continue home play next Saturday when the Delaware Blue Hens come to Villanova Stadium. Game time is set for 1:00 P.M. and can be seen on Nova Nation All-Access.
