Villanova, Pa.- The Villanova Wildcats rebounded on Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 win over the Colgate Raider in overtime. Villanova moves to 6-1 on the season and Colgate is now 4-3.
"Tough battle today against a very strong Colgate team, " share head coach Chris McLain. "Lots of emotions went through my head before, during and after the game. For over a decade, Kathy Brawn (former head coach) and I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears building one of the top programs in the Northeast. They gave us everything they had and I wouldn't expect anything less from a team with such rich tradition and success. Their alums would be proud."
"Excited for the squad, to persevere and tactically solve the issues Colgate gave us, we have to be happy that our players found a way to win the game. Their coaching staff is extremely experienced and they knew what Villanova wanted to do. We were able to adapt and we created some really good opportunities to try and put the game away."
The first half saw even play by both teams but the Wildcats were able to net a goal in the closing minutes to go up 1-0. It was
Makayla Stadler who took the ball to the far side end line and placed it in front of
Allison Breed. There the senior was able to connect and get her cross shot to go over the goal line to make it 1-0.
In the second half he Wildcats got five shot off in the opening 15 minutes with
Sophia Kryza getting a header off a corner kick to fall on goal, but it was saved by the Raiders keeper. Colgate tied the game at 1 in the 69
th minute following a handball in the box which awarded the Raiders a penalty kick. Ruby Diodati took the PK and was able to successfully connect.
Villanova had one final chance in the closing seconds of the second half when
Niki Molina placed a hard shot right now goal, but it was saved, and the game went to overtime tied at 1-1.
Halfway through the first overtime
Chloe O'Neill sent a ball across the box to
Reagan Smith. There Smith was able to get a cross shot off to net the golden goal and make the final 2-1.
Megan McClay picked up her sixth win of the season and also had two saves on the day.
"The leadership from our upperclassmen has been instrumental in carry our team in these extremely tough games. Proud of Makayla Stadler (Jr) and Allison Breed (Sr) on the first goal. Another outside back to a forward combination to get us the early lead. And then to win the game with a forwards pass from Chloe O'Neil (Sr) to an outside back Reagan Smith (Sr), that's players following the game plan. Proud of each and every one of them."
Villanova will close out non-conference play this Thursday when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Penn Quakers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 P.M.
