CLAREMONT, Calif. – Villanova's defense stood up with another powerful second-half performance, holding Whittier to just a pair of goals to finish off a 12-8 victory to wrap up its time at the Convergence Tournament.

Villanova (11-8) leaves California with a three-game winning streak after outscoring Whittier (7-4) 6-2 in the final two quarters of action.

"Another strong second half of defense," head coach Larry Sanders said.

Both Kaysie Stuba and Isabel Herbst netted hat tricks in the win. For Stuba, its her third consecutive game with at least three goals scored, her 11^th of the season. Herbst's three-goal outing marks her first of the season. In total points scored, Stuba led all players with six, adding on three assists.

Villanova pulled out to a 2-1 lead early thanks to chances from Stuba and Herbst. With just under four minutes left in the opening period, Ally Burke connected on a chance to even the match at two. Lauren Picard provided a pair of answers after that, starting with a goal 20 seconds after the Poets tying mark and then a powerplay goal with 2:00 on the clock to make it a 4-2 lead for the 'Cats. Kimora Farry made the most of another powerplay late, netting her first goal of the season to push Villanova to a 5-3 advantage by the end of the first.

The Poets fought back with a pair of goals to bring the score even at five halfway through the second before a penalty was whistled on Grace Arnsparger. Adrienne Grimes lined up for the five-meter shot, converting it to put the 'Cats back ahead by one with 1:38 left in the half. Whittier's Emily Flores scored on a player-up advantage over 30 seconds later, evening the contest at 6-6 before the break.

Herbst and Stuba gave Villanova a two-goal by the 3:16 mark of the third period. Nearly a minute later, the Poets got back within one at 8-7 on a powerplay goal from Alex Lopez.

The fourth quarter started with a fury for the Wildcats, picking up a 3-0 scoring run. Stuba started the blitz with her third goal of the day, followed closely by a third goal from Herbst and one from Stella Byles, giving the 'Cats an 11-7 lead with 5:30 remaining. Whittier got one back on a shot from Bryanna Santis but Amanda Rice provided the dagger with just over three minutes remaining.

Stuba led Villanova with five shot attempts while Herbst and Byles each sent out for chances. The duo also accounted for four points, tacking on one and two assists, respectively.

Splitting time in net for the second time this weekend, Abigial Shelby allowed six goals with five saves before Sarah Shaw came in in relief in the second half, making four saves with two goals allowed. Shaw also grabbed a pair of steals.

Santis and Katelyn Arauz were the only Poets to log multiple goals, both scoring twice. Santis led the group with three points, adding an assist.

Villanova faces a two-week break before hitting the road to Lexington, Va. for two days of action at the Virginia Military Institute to open Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play. It will face Wagner and VMI on March 19 before taking on Iona on March 20.