Villanova, Pa.- An early goal would prove to be enough for the Villanova Wildcats (4-3-2) to hold on to defeat unbeaten Brown, 1-0.

"Perhaps one of the toughest teams in the country to coach against," said head coach Chris McLain. "This team has only given up one goal all season and that was an own goal. Brown had an RPI of 7 going into this game and we knew it would be an all-out war."

The Wildcats first shot of the game would be the game-winner. Allison Breed took the ball from the right end-line and cross the ball to the far side of the box.  There Brice McInroy was able to get a strong shot off that went into the opposite corner to push Villanova up 1-0. 

McLain continued, "we are not a direct style team so to have to adapt and play that style shows the maturity of these players. We really surprised Brown for the first 45 and felt we had absolute control of the game."

The Bears got a shot on goal in the first half that was saves by graduate keeper Rebecca Gartner which kept the score 1-0 heading into halftime. 

Early in the second half Brown had their best opportunity when Ava Sellenfreund got a shot off just a few yards off the goal line, but Gartner was able to dive and push the ball out of bounds to keep the clean sheet. 

Breed got a strong shot off for the Wildcats just outside the top of the box that was saved by the Bears keeper. 

"The adjustments the Brown's staff made at half was smart, whether they lose 1-0 or 2-0, they were not settling for a loss, they threw everything they had at us and we were just trying to keep the ship from going down," shared McLain.  "They left the game pretty open for us to bury the game, but the legs of our players were just too heavy from the overtime game with Princeton this past Thursday." 

The Bears got six more shots off, but the Villanova defense was able to put enough pressure on to force them to go wide or block them pick up the shut out.

"The coaches are extremely proud of our players, they looked at us as if we were crazy to change how we love to play. But they believed and they adjusted well and now we walk away with a solid victory against a top 10 team," said McLain.

Villanova will open BIG EAST play on Sunday, September 29^th against the Xavier Musketeers.  Game time is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. at Higgins Soccer Complex.  The game can also be seen on BEDN.