Villanova, Pa.-  The Villanova Wildcats fell the their season opener to the No. 1 Penn State Nittany Lions by a final of 19-10 on Saturday afternoon. 

The Wildcats and Nittany Lions played even in the first quarter ending it tied 4-4.  Villanova's goals were scored by four different Wildcats, first Eric Overbay, followed by Keegan Khan to go up 2-1, then Matt Campbell tied things at three, and Patrick Daly netted the final of the quarter with just seconds left. 

Penn State took over in the second quarter netting six straight goals over a eight minutes span, led by two from Grant Ament, who finished with a game high eight points.  Connor Kirst set up Corey McManus in the 8^th minute to end the run but the Nittany Lions would score two more before halftime to go up 12-5.

Campbell got the Wildcats offense going to start the second half netting the first goal and Khan followed up behind him scoring his second of the day to push the game within five.  Villanova's defense was able to keep the Nittany Lions to only one goal in the third that came with just under nine to play when Ament set up Mac O'Keefe. 

In the final quarter both Campbell and Khan competed hat tricks while Daly netted his second of the game to help make the final 19-10. 

Patrick Kennedy was the Wildcats most effective defender have a team high in both ground balls and caused turnovers.  Justin Coppola took 22 of the 32 faceoffs on the day and won nine while colleting three ground balls; Dan Fisher took the other ten and one two.  Will Vitton played all 60 minutes in goal and finished with 12 saves including five in the third quarter.
 
Next the Wildcats will host the Yale Bulldogs next Saturday, February 15^th at 1:00 P.M. inside Villanova Stadium.  The game can be seen on Nova Nation All-Access.