LEXINGTON, Va. – Villanova faced an early 5-0 deficit on Saturday morning that it could not claw back from, falling to No. 14 Wagner, 22-7, in its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game of the season from Virginia Military Institute's Clark King Pool.
The Wildcats (11-9, 0-1 MAAC) were held to scoring just one goal in each of the first three periods of the game, facing numerous scoring runs from Wagner (19-3, 3-0 MAAC) throughout the contest.
Amelia Baca led the 'Cats as the lone multi-goal scorer in the game, the first of her career. She netted both of her goals in the final quarter of action. Villanova suffered 20 turnovers in the loss, scoring seven goals on 21 shot attempts.
"Wagner is a talented team," head coach
Larry Sanders said. "We neded to handle the pressure better and take care of the ball."
Wagner took advantage early to the tune of 5-0 scoring run before
Joia McKinney halted it to put Villanova on the board with a look from in front of the net with 1:52 left in the period. The Seahawks netted two more late, including a chance as time expired to make it a 7-1 deficit for the Wildcats.
The second quarter started with the Seahawks continuing their scoring blitz, netting four in the first six minutes.
Stella Byles put an end to the seven-goal scoring run spanning the two quarters with a shot to the near corner to make it 12-2 with 2:33 remaining. Wagner added on another goal before the end of the half, making it a 13-2 contest at the break.
The Seahawks tacked on another early in the second half before a penalty called on Wagner set
Kaysie Stuba up with a chance to cut into the lead on a penalty shot. Her attempt was successful, making it a 14-3 score 40 seconds into the quarter. The rest of the period was all Wagner with the score at 20-3 heading into the fourth.
Villanova answered an early Seahawks' goal with a 3-0 run of its own. Baca started the run with a quick look to the net with 7:20 on the clock in the fourth to make it 21-4.
Adrienne Grimes added to it with a penalty shot at the 5:40 mark before another Baca goal brought the score to 21-6 with just over five minutes remaining.
Emily McKenzie provided the final goal of the outing for Villanova, answering a Wagner goal with a shot from in front of the net with 35 seconds remaining.
Baca scored on two of her three shot attempts while McKenzie led the team with four shot attempts.
Abigail Shelby and
Sarah Shaw split time in the net, each making five saves in the contest. Shelby allowed 13 goals with two steals while Shaw had nine sail past and accounted for an assist.
Mar Navarro led the Seahawks with four goals. Goalie Kristina Bell made a team-high seven saves.
The second game of the weekend is slated for 4 p.m. against hosting VMI.
