New York, N.Y. – Senior forward
Maggie Mick and sophomore goalkeeper
Emma Leppert were named to the Weekly BIG EAST Honor Roll after a thrilling weekend of overtime wins. This is both Mick and Leppert's first BIG EAST Honor Roll appearance in their careers.
Mick was a key contributor on attack over the weekend and has been a strong member of the team over the season.
The Lake Forest native scored the goal winner against Temple in their heated conference game in a double overtime 3-2 win over the Owls. The 7v7 style of play began with just 10 minutes on the clock, first team to score wins. The Wildcats had battled against a very strong Temple team but held their own on both ends of the field refusing lose and persevering to the very last minute. With 2:16 left on the clock in double overtime, junior back
Sabine de Ruijter sent the ball in from outside the arch and connected with Micks stick deflecting into the back of the net ending the game and avoiding the shootout.
The senior forward also scored the game tying goal that forced overtime in their game against La Salle 3-2 win. This time sophomore
Raina Smolij directed the ball into the circle outside the arch and Mick read the situation and set the ball into the top of the goal over the goalkeeper's head with only 3:46 left in the fourth quarter.
Leppert has become a true asset for the Wildcat defense in goal. She has been a brick wall that has been extremely difficult for opponents to sneak the ball past. Leppert has stepped into the role of starting goalkeeper earlier in the season and performed above and beyond making some key saves that have continued the Villanova home win streak.
The sophomore goalie played the full 60 minutes in both games, the double overtime against Temple, and the overtime against La Salle. She earned the win in both games with 8 saves in the Temple game and 6 in the La Salle game, facing 32 shots only allowing 2 goals in each game.
An extremely thrilling weekend at the Proving Grounds showed the heart of this Wildcat team and their ability to persevere and protect their home turf.
The Wildcats hit the road for another away stint first heading to Norfolk, Virginia to face off against the Monarchs of Old Dominion University on Friday Sep. 30 at 1:00 pm. Tune in to watch the exciting game unfold.
