LEXINGTON, Va. – After trailing by a goal heading into the halftime break, Villanova used a nine-goal second half to break away from VMI for an 19-14 win on Saturday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Clark King Pool.
The win marks the first in conference action for Villanova (12-9, 1-1 MAAC) and is its fourth winning contest in the last five games. In the series with VMI (3-13, 0-2 MAAC), the 'Cats are now 12-7 overall with a 3-0 record when playing at VMI.
Stella Byles notched a season-high with five goals to lead the team.
Isabel Herbst was right behind her with a season-high four goals.
"We had better ball control and improved defense," head coach
Larry Sanders said. "Stella was strong with 5-of-6 shooting."
Villanova took on an early lead with back-to-back goals from
Kaysie Stuba coming on a penalty shot and even strength shot. The Keydets battled back to a tie before
Isabel Herbst netted a look with 5:04 left to make it 3-2. VMI went on a 2-0 scoring run to close the period taking a 4-3 advantage by the end of the frame.
The two sides exchanged goals in the first two minutes of the second period before another VMI scoring run formed, giving it an 9-6 advantage with back-to-back goals from Gia Donatelli and another from Genevieve Petrassi. Herbst and Byles got Villanova back even but VMI's Kiara Anguiano scored with until a minute remaining to make it 10-9 at the break.
A more balanced effort came in the third as the 'Cats outscored VMI 6-2 in the frame. Half of that came on a trio of unanswered goals from Byles, Stuba and
Lauren Picard to close out the period.
Emily Morrissey continued the scoring run less than a minute into the fourth but VMI gained some fround with back-to-back goals. The Wildcats closed out the game with another run from Byles,
Allie Hansen and
Joia McKinney.
For a third straight game,
Abigail Shelby and
Sarah Shaw split time in goal. Shelby allowed 10 goals throughout the first half with four saves and a steal. Shaw was strong in the second half, allowing just four goals with eight saves and tacking on a steal and an assist.
The weekend at VMI comes to a close on Sunday as the Wildcats take on Iona at 11 a.m.
