Villanova, Pa. - A second-half goal and some tough defense led the Villanova Wildcats (5-3-2, 1-0) over the Xavier Musketeers (7-2-2, 0-1), 1-0, in the BIG EAST opener. 
 
After a scoreless first half, Brice McInroy found the back of the net in the 57^thminute after stealing the ball off of the foot of a Xavier defender. McInroy dribbled downfield and managed to shake the keeper before firing the ball into the back of the net.
 
"The Big East is always tough, shared head coach Chris McLain. "Xavier made it extremely hard for us to play the way we like to play. Getting to halftime to make adjustments couldn't have come soon enough. After challenging the team to play the system that they have made their own, only then, did we create enough to give Xavier some fits in the 2nd half."
 
The score brought McInroy's season total to five, the highest on the team. 
 
While the sophomore was leading the offense, graduate student goalkeeper Rebecca Gartner controlled the defense. Gartner faced 16 total shots on the day, five on goal, but did not falter and recorded her second consecutive shutout. 
 
McLain continued, "Rebecca Gartner for me was the most impactful player we had today. Time and time again, this kid steps up to this big time challenges and today she was at the very top. To shut out two quality attacking minded teams like Brown University and now Xavier University, shows she is top shelf in this league."
 
Gartner came up with an early diving save on a shot by Samantha Dewy in the first half and had back-to-back ones in the 55^thminute.  The first save came when Brooke Sroka got a strong shot off that Gartner was able to push out of bound.  Following the corner Gartner made a punching save on a header by Grace Bahr and the defense was able to block the Musketeers third shot and push the ball down field.  It was on that drive downfield that McInroy scored the game winning goal.  
 
"We needed to dig deep today and players that struggled in the 1st half, accepted being held accountable... brushed it off, and rose to the battle that was at hand. Sliding, tackling, being brave, recovery runs, and blocking any shot possible was todays recipe for their success. Proud of this group in the way they fought today. Makes our staff, our fans and especially the players that played before them proud," said McLain. 
 
The Wildcats defense was able to hold off the Xavier Musketeers to pick up a 1-0 victory in the conference opener.  
 
Villanova hosts the Georgetown Hoyas on Thursday, October 3rd. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. at Higgins Soccer Complex. The game can also be seen on BEDN.