Villanova, Pa.- Despite a surge of late game pressure and a
Kristin Barbour goal to even the game, the Villanova Wildcats couldn't find the game-winner as they posted a 1-1 double overtime draw against Saint Joseph's. The tie marks the first since the 2014 season.
With the tie, Villanova moves to 1-0-1 overall after the opening weekend. The Wildcats dominated once again on the offensive front with a 17-7 advantage in shots and 9-4 in corners after 110 minutes.
"We are disappointed not to get the full three points, but on a positive side, we showed the resilience to come back from behind," shared head coach
Chris McLain. "Anytime you get 17 shots against your opponent with 9 of them being on frame, you put yourself in position to win the game. Credit to Saint Joseph's for finding a way to get the goal."
Villanova got a chance early in the match when
Chloe O'Neill ripped a shot that went off of Hawk's goalie Emily Cuccio's fingertips and behind the goal. The Hawks got the first score of the game in the 30
th minute when Aleksa Peev dribbled down the sideline and bent a shot from outside the box up and over
Hensley Hancuff. The Hawk's kept the 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
It was
Kristin Barbour in the 55
th minute who took a free kick following a Saint Joseph's foul just outside the top of the box and capitalized. Barbour was able to get her shot through the traffic and into the goal right by the posts to tie the game 1-1. With time winding down, neither team could find a breakthrough through the opposite defense and the contest went into overtime.
Both overtime periods featured three shots by the Wildcats along with three corners and the defense was able to limit the Hawk's to neither in the 20 extra minutes to end the match in a 1-1 draw.
McLain continued, "I am proud of this team and the way we managed the game. We are much better in the final third from growth this off season, but the qualities that are demanded on this end of the pitch have to be better."
Villanova will head to Oregon to take on Oregon State on Friday, August 30
th at 8:00 P.M. ET and then the Ducks on Sunday, September 1
st at 8:00 P.M ET.