CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – A pair of goals from Sabine de Ruijter helped lift Villanova past Quinnipiac Saturday afternoon at the Proving Grounds. The win was the second straight for the Wildcats, who knocked off Temple last Sunday in Philadelphia.
 
            Following a scoreless first period, Quinnipiac (1-1 overall, 1-1 BIG EAST) scored the first goal of the day three minutes into the second quarter. Olivia Howard got the goal for the Bobcats, who held that lead for the remainder of the first period. Villanova (2-5 overall, 2-5 BIG EAST) forced Quinnipiac goalie Nina Santore to make four saves over the first 30 minutes.
 
            A Meghan Mitchell goal early in the third quarter, off a feed from Emily Clarke, tied the game at one.
 
            Then, a mere 41 seconds later, de Ruijter scored her first goal of the sun-splashed afternoon. Riley Dolan and Ashley Thomas picked up the assists on a sequence that began with a penalty corner.
 
            The Wildcats again capitalized on a penalty corner opportunity in the fourth quarter. de Ruijter again put the finishing touch on the set play that also included assists for Katie Capalbo and Jamie Pennington.
 
            The third goal would prove critical when Quinnipiac narrowed its deficit to 3-2 with a goal scored with 53 seconds to play in the fourth period. But the Wildcats were able to close this one out, with goalie Jordan McGinley earning the win.
 
            These two teams will return to the Proving Grounds on Sunday to meet again. That contest is slated to get underway at noon.