STORRS, CT. - The Villanova Wildcats fell to the Huskies of (No.13) the University of Connecticut (UConn) on the road in a BIG EAST matchup.
 
A strong start for the Wildcats who came out very aggressive drawing three corners in the first minute and a half of the game with three shots all getting blocked. The Wildcats had solid possession of the ball and keeping the strong UConn team to limited shots on goal only allowing Huskies to draw one corner and stopped them from converting on the opportunity. The quarter remained scoreless and showed the true fight by the Wildcats.
 
The Wildcats continued to keep up with the Huskies but shifted into a more defensive mode as UConn began to find a rhythm and had more control over the ball and the field. Sophomore goalkeeper #15 Emma Leppert had a save in each quarter in the first half of the game and only allowed one in. The Wildcats held a united defensive line against a tough UConn offense and only trailed one goal at the half.
 
To start the third quarter the Wildcats, tap in senior goalkeeper #9 Claire Borman for Leppert and right as the period began Borman had a big save. The Wildcats continued the great defensive work of the first half of the game throughout the period and did not allow for any goals to be scored against them. Borman finished the quarter with three saves and there was a very close scoring opportunity by junior forward #17 Amanda Middleman who almost sneaked the ball past the UConn goalie. As another scoreless quarter concluded, the Wildcats hoped to keep the Huskies on their toes.
 
With only 15 minutes remaining in play the Huskies came out very strong and on the attack.
UConn scored off a penalty corner with less than 10 minutes to go and followed it up with another goal to lead the Wildcats 3-0.  The Wildcats pulled Borman from goal with six minutes left in the game to have the advantage of an extra field player out on the turf. Unfortunately, Villanova was unable to use the extra player to get on the board. The final score was 3-0 with the Huskies taking the BIG EAST win.
 
The Wildcats put up a great fight playing a very strong defensive game with some great blocks by #33 Hannah Barsky and the combined efforts of Borman and Leppert. The Wildcats really challenged the No.13 ranked UConn squad and despite the score played a great game of field hockey to keep up with a strong team.
 
The Wildcats will return home to the Proving Grounds for Senior Day against Davidson on Sunday Oct. 16. Game time is set for 12 p.m.
 
 
Game Recap By Quarters
1^st Quarter
- No goals were scored
- Shots on goal 1-1 (VU-UConn)
- Corners 3-1 (VU- UConn)
- UConn goalie #00 Cheyenne Sprecher had one save
- VU goalie #15 Emma Leppert had one save
 
2^nd Quarter
- UConn goal scored by #12 Julia Bressler (17:01) assisted by #18 Claire Jandewerth
- Shots on goal 0-2 (VU-UConn)
- Corners 0-3 (VU-UConn)
- UConn goalie #00 Cheyenne Sprecher had no saves
- VU goalie#15 Emma Leppert had one save
- UConn Green card issued to #3 Madison DiPietro (28:07)
- VU Green card issued to #27 Noor Van de Laar (28:29)
 
3^rd Quarter
- No goals were scored
- Shots on goal 1-3 (VU-UConn)
- Corners 1-5 (VU-UConn)
- UConn goalie #00 Cheyenne Sprecher had one save
- VU goalie #9 Claire Borman had three saves
 
4^th Quarter
- UConn goal scored by #23 Juana Garcia (51:26) assisted by #4 Natalie Brown
- UConn goal scored by #12 Julia Bressler (54:19) unassisted
- Shots on goal 0-3 (VU-UConn)
- Corners 0-2 (VU-UConn)
- UConn goalie #00 Cheyenne Sprecher had no saves
- VU goalie #9 Claire Borman had one save