Villanova, Pa. - The Villanova Wildcats were defeated Saturday afternoon by the William & Mary Tribe in both team's season opening games. The Tribe came out victorious in the high scoring affair by one goal, with a final score of 14-13. 

The 'Cats got on the board first, at the 13:24 mark of the first period, as junior transfer Cara Moreau netted the teams first goal of the season. Less than one minute later, Addie Fischer scored to make the score 2-0. This would mark the start of a career day for Fischer.  After one period, Villanova held a 4-2 lead, after goals from Alexa Tsahalis and Sami Carey, the first of her Villanova career. 

To open the second period, Villanova scored three unanswered in the span of two minutes. At the 9:45 mark of the frame, Moreau fired a pass to Olivia Piccirilli in front of the net, converting her first chance on the season. Freshman Sydney Pappas also scored her first collegiate goal, after Caroline Curnal threw a pass across the crease to find the open teammate. Less than a minute later, senior captain Libby McKenna scored off of a free-position shot to make the score 7-2 Villanova. She would score again with 24 seconds left in the half, to give Villanova an 8-3 lead going into the break. 

Villanova held the advantage in both shots, 22-9, and draw controls, 9-3, in the first half. 

William & Mary came out of the break looking for a spark, which they got by way of a 7-3 scoring advantage in the period. The Tribe were able to score first after halftime, and alternated goals till the 10:23 mark, when the score was 10-5. After Fischer scored her second goal of the contest, William & Mary went on a 5-0 run spanning nearly eight minutes, including three goals from Lauren Russell, who finished with a game high seven goals. Pappas scored shortly before the period ended for Villanova, to make the score 11-10 in favor of Villanova. 

Fischer kept the 'Cats in it, early in the fourth and final period, converting on two free-position attempts. The two goals pushed her total to four, crushing her previous career high in goals for a single game of one. 

However, the Tribe scored three unanswered and took the lead with 2:14 on the clock. Russell netted her sixth of the contest, followed by two goals from Serena Jacobs to give the visitors a one goal advantage, at 14-13 in the final minutes. 

Alexa Moro made seven saves in net for Villanova. 

Villanova will return to action, when they travel to Temple University on Wednesday, February 16th at 6:00 PM. 

Notes: 
- Addie Fischer set a new career high in goals for a single contest with four, on four shots
- Caroline Curnal won 13 draw controls, setting a new career high
- Hanna Driscoll had three caused turnovers, a new career high
- Alexa Tsahalis set a new career high in shots and shots on goal, both with eight