CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.- The Villanova Wildcats defeated Davidson for an exciting 3-2 Senior Day victory. Before the contest, Villanova recognized the team's two graduate students and five seniors for their contributions on and off the field in a Senior Day Ceremony. 
 
The graduating class of 2023 started the game off for Villanova. The first quarter began strong for the Wildcats as they dominated possession of the ball and had control of the field. The energy of the opening minutes of play started to calm down and the Wildcats lost some momentum. The only goal to occur during the quarter was a quick one by Davidson with seconds left in the quarter that just snuck past senior goalkeeper #9 Claire Borman after she had a save earlier on.
 
The second quarter the Wildcats started to get their momentum going with a goal scored by freshman forward #2 Toni Minichello (4:29) with the assist coming from graduate forward #27 Noor Van de Laar. Van de Laar had a wonderful breakaway play and passed the ball to Minichello, who sent the ball flying into the back of the top left corner of the goal. Villanova headed into halftime tied 1-1 with Davidson.
 
After halftime, Villanova came out with more confidence and still controlled the game taking multiple shots on goal and drawing many corners, but it wasn't until late in the quarter they were able to get the ball past the Davidson goalkeeper. With less than a minute left in the quarter, sophomore midfielder #10 Anne Drabbe made a great pass to junior back #14 Sabine de Ruijter sent a powerful shot towards the net and connected with Van de Laar's stick which deflected into the goal off a corner. This was Van de Laar's second goal for the Wildcats, on Senior Day no less, that took the lead for Villanova.
 
As the Wildcats entered into the final quarter of play, they came out with higher energy and continued to build off the hype from the last goal. There was a strong shot attempt from junior forward #17 Amanda Middleman off a great pass from senior forward #3 Maggie Mick that went into the goal right as the quarter began but was ultimately called back due to a foul. The Wildcats did not waiver and brought the ball, once again, up to field after earning possession and Mick had another great look this time to #11 Meghan Mitchell who was able to secure the 3-1 lead for the Wildcats. With a last ditch effort from Davidson, they were able to score one more goal but came up short with Villanova taking the 3-2 win on the 'Cats Senior Day.
 
Head coach Joanie Milhous commented on the Wildcat's Senior Day win, the competition put up from Davidson, and the effort put forth from her team, especially some of the key contributors to earn the win.
 
"Davidson's a really nice team. I know that it's been a tough season for them, their record does not indicate the talent that they have on that team and how strong of a team that they are. They've had some really nice, tight games and that showed against us as well today," said Milhous. "I was glad that our girls did capitalize on the opportunities that we were getting. I loved the play of our seniors today. I thought Noor, had a great game with an assistant, a goal, so that was fun seeing that for her. But we keep building. We learn from every win, we learn from every loss."
 
Van de Laar, who completed the day with a goal and an assist, touched on the team dynamic that made the win possible for the Wildcats.
 
"I'm happy my senior day ended like this, and the team did an amazing job to earn the win today," said Van de Laar. "It felt good to get the shots off and the team around me really helped with that too. We were on point today and everyone did great."
 
The Wildcats return home for a BIG EAST Conference matchup against the Bobcats of Quinnipiac University on Friday Oct. 25. Game time is set for 5 p.m. and will feature an opportunity for students to come out for the Bonus Lottery event.
 
Game Recap By Quarters
1^st Quarter
- DAV goal scored by #11 Celie Constantine (0:13) assisted by #13 Charlie Kabelac #29 Sib Naaktgeboren
- Shots on goal 2-2 (VU-DAV)
- Corners 2-2 (VU-DAV)
- DAV goalie #23 Cato Roell had two saves
- VU goalie #9 Claire Borman had one save
- DAV defensive save by #29 Sib Naaktgeboren
 
2^nd Quarter
- Goal scored by #2 Toni Minichello (4:29) assisted by #27 Noor Van de Laar
- Shots on goal 1-0 (VU-DAV)
- Corners 1-0 (VU-DAV)
- DAV goalie #23 Cato Roell had no saves
- VU goalie #9 Claire Borman had no saves
 
 
3^rd Quarter
- Goal scored by #27 Noor Van de Laar (0:48) assisted by #14 Sabine de Ruijter and #10 Anne Drabbe
- Shots on goal 5-0 (VU-LAS)
- Corners 4-1 (VU-LAS)
- DAV goalie #23 Cato Roell had four saves
- VU goalie #9 Claire Borman had no saves
 
4^th Quarter
- Goal scored by #11 Meghan Mitchell (11:42) assisted by #3 Maggie Mick
- DAV goal scored by #11 Celie Constantine (5:29) assisted by #6 Macy Curtis
- Shots on goal 2-1 (VU-DAV)
- Corners 5-1 (VU-DAV)
- DAV goalie #23 Cato Roell had one save
- VU goalie #9 Claire Borman had no saves
- DAV Green card issued to #7 Caroline Wack (3:04)
- DAV Green card issued to #17 Evie Lake (1:58)
- DAV Yellow card issued to #29 Sib Naaktgeboren (0:25)