QUEENS, N.Y. – Villanova dropped its second consecutive game on Sunday afternoon, falling to St. John's, 2-0, at Belson Stadium.
 
The loss saw Villanova (4-2-5, 1-2-0 BIG EAST) go without a shot on goal for the first time since April 1, 2021. Overall, St. John's (6-4-2, 1-3 BIG EAST) led the shot tally 9-2 with the two Blue and White shots coming from Susanna Soderman and Alex Fava. Goalkeeper Payton Woodward was called upon for three saves, her second-highest mark of the year.
 
"Full Credit to St. John's. I thought that they were very sound defensively," head coach Samar Azem said. "They kept us off the scoreboard, they also limited our shots, and their work rate was incredible today. They capitalized on transitions really well against us, and I think we didn't handle that really well on all fronts. It's not just the players' fault; the coaches are in it too. I didn't think we adjusted well today. I think today was a step backward for us in our process. I do think that's OK though because that's part of our identity growing. I think we needed a day like today. This is the first time we've been completely outplayed and pulled out of our own game, and I think this is a great learning opportunity for us."
 
Villanova faced its first halftime deficit of the year thanks to a Jailene DeJesus goal at the 35:38 mark. Lauryn Tran doubled the lead at 69:04 for the Red Storm.
 
St. John's created a pair of chances early that the defense was able to keep away. The second chance came off the foot of Athina Sofroniou from nearly 25 yards out, forcing Woodward to go airborne at the top corner to tip it out.  
 
Soderman had the lone first half shot for Villanova. The junior midfielder lined up for a free kick in the 33^rd minute that sailed high right. Seconds later, Woodward came up with another big save, this time on a deep rocket attempt from Jess Garziano.
 
The Johnnies took the lead on a quick play inside the box in the 36^th minute. Garziano sent a pass to DeJesus who was covered by a pair of Wildcat defenders. She evaded both to get a look past Woodward, playing up near the penalty spot for a 1-0 advantage.
 
Woodward came up with another big time stop in the first two minutes of the second half. St. John's Nicole Gordon went one-on-one with the graduate keeper, taking a shot that went right at Woodward, immediately falling on the ball after it bounced off her legs.
 
Villanova had a chance to level the contest in the 52^nd minute on a Gabby Koluch corner. Her shot found Fava in the box whose header in the goal box went wide right.
 
St. John's doubled its lead in the 70^th minute after Ava Collins played a pass to Tran. She sent a chance 10 yards out that got past a diving Woodward to make it a 2-0 match.
 
Villanova had a chance to counter in the 82^nd minute when Jackie Richards served a ball inside to Makayla Stadler. She tried to gain control, but the Red Storm keeper Maria O'Sullivan fell on the ball to give possession back to the Johnnies.
 
Villanova returns to the Higgins Soccer Complex for a pair of BIG EAST contests. The 'Cats host Butler on Thursday at 3 p.m. and Creighton on Sunday at 1 p.m.