BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Villanova Wildcats dropped a heartbreaker to the Mountain Hawks of Lehigh University after a tough OT 2-1 loss in a downpour.
 
A slow start at the beginning of the game as there was some back and forth between possessions. A save made on Villanova's side from the sophomore goalkeeper #15 Emma Leppert. One strong breakaway made by #17 Amanda Middleman and #11 Meghan Mitchell almost get on the board with a close shot just wide of the goal.
 
The second quarter began with the Mountain Hawks coming out strong taking control of the field and taking a couple shots on goal that were kicked away and saved by Leppert. Lehigh on their aggressive run drew a penalty stroke and converted on it. Lehigh also held the advantage in penalty corners 5-2 and continued on the attack for the rest of the quarter. The Wildcat defense remained strong despite the one goal and #33 Hannah Barsky had a defensive save at 22:28 mark. The half ended with the Wildcats trailing 1-0 to the Mountain Hawks.
 
The third quarter started out with Lehigh on the attack but the Wildcats where ready as #14 Sabine de Ruijter had a defensive save 35 seconds into the quarter. The Wildcats began to push back in the third quarter drawing multiple corners and having multiple shots on goal. The quarter remained scoreless, and time began to run out for the Wildcats to get fire back.
 
The Wildcats came out in the fourth quarter with new focus and energy with a couple great runs on goal to start off the quarter. Middleman took a run-on goal, and the ball was saved as the goal came out of the goal, but the ball rebounded off the Lehigh goalkeeper right into Mitchell's stick. Mitchell had been running with Middleman and from the goal save she sent the ball straight into the back into the net to tie the game and get the Wildcats on the board. The wildcats maintained a solid defensive front as Leppert had five saves and Barsky picked up another defensive save. At the end of regulation play the score remained 1-1 and forced the game into overtime.
 
Villanova enters the 7v7 style of overtime to try to get a goal up on the board and end the game in the 10-minute span of play. The Mountain Hawks continued on their aggressive game play pushing the ball forward and drawing many corners, but Leppert and her defensive line answered back consistently to combat Lehigh's relentless attacks. After couple runs on goal and the clock winding down, Lehigh grabbed possession of the ball and ended the game with only eight seconds left in play. A tough loss on the road for the Wildcats as they head into a conference face off with Liberty University on Friday now with a 7-4 record.
 
Assistant Coach Corey Mayer commented on the tough loss and what they can change for their upcoming game later this week.

"Today we struggled with connection. There were unforced errors caused by technical breakdowns that gave Lehigh opportunities to score," said Mayer. "We are going to show more passion and grit in the next game. The two goals we will continue to carry into Friday are scoring first and capitalizing on our opportunities."

The Wildcats return home to the Proving Grounds for a conference face off against the Flames of Liberty University on Sunday Oct. 7. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
 
Game Recap By Quarters
1^st Quarter
- No goals were scored
- Shots on goal 0-1 (VU-LEH)
- Corners 0-0 (VU- LEH)
- LEH goalie #78 Maddie Kahn had no saves
- VU goalie #15 Emma Leppert had one save
- LEH defensive save by #13 Lotte Smorenburg (7:45)

2^nd Quarter
- LEH goal scored by #20 Sarah Bonthuis off a penalty stroke
- Shots on goal 2-3 (VU-LEH)
- Corners 2-5 (VU-LEH)
- LEH goalie #78 Maddie Kahn had two saves
- VU goalie #15 Emma Leppert had two saves
- VU defensive save by #33 Hannah Barsky (22:28)
 
3^rd Quarter
- No goals were scored
- Shots on goal 2-3 (VU-LEH)
- Corners 3-2 (VU-LEH)
- LEH goalie #78 Maddie Kahn had two saves
- VU goalie #15 Emma Leppert had three saves
- VU defensive save by #14 Sabine de Ruijter (30:35)
 
4^th Quarter
- Goal scored by #11 Meghan Mitchell (46:43) unassisted
- Shots on goal 3-5 (VU-LEH)
- Corners 0-3 (VU-LEH)
- LEH goalie #78 Maddie Kahn had two saves
- VU goalie #15 Emma Leppert had five saves
- VU defensive save by #33 Hannah Barsky (55:13)
 
OT
- LEH goal scored by #14 Guusje Hogendoorn (69:52) unassisted
- Shots on goal 0-3 (VU-LEH)
- Corners 0-3 (VU-LEH)
- LEH goalie #78 Maddie Kahn had no saves
- VU goalie #15 Emma Leppert had two saves