CHICAGO – It took 84 minutes for a scoreless stalemate between Villanova and DePaul to see a break be made as Villanova fell 1-0 thanks to an 85^th minute goal from Susie Soderstrom on Sunday at Wish Field.
 
Villanova (4-6-7, 1-6-2 BIG EAST) needed a win over DePaul (6-6-4, 2-4-3 BIG EAST) to stay in the BIG EAST Tournament discussion with the two sides sitting within five and four points, respectively, of sixth-place heading into the day. Soderstrom's goal marks the latest scored against the 'Cats this season and leaves Nova in 11^th place on the conference table with one game left to play this season.
 
DePaul outshot Villanova by a slim 13-11 margin with the 'Cats peppering eight attempts in the second half. Both sides had three shots on target. Brigid Molloy led Villanova with three shot attempts in the loss, two of those on frame. Soderstrom also made three shot attempts with her lone on goal being the decision-maker. Villanova netminder Payton Woodward made two saves while Elena Milam was forced into three by the Wildcat offense.
 
The 'Cats came out with a strong offensive pressure, landing a shot on frame in the first two minutes. Brigid Molloy sent a long attempt that was grabbed by a jumping Milam.
 
DePaul's most dangerous chance came in the 40^th minute as Lea Eisenring had a look that glanced just outside the left post. A few seconds later, Nahla Dominguez sent a shot that Woodward jogged out to grab in the air.
 
Woodward's first save of the day came in the 44^th minute, jumping up to grab a lob inside from Mya Gardner to keep it scoreless heading into the break.
 
Both sides landed a shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes, but DePaul led the shot tally, 10-3.
 
Villanova was awarded a free kick early in the second half that Jackie Richards lined up to take. Her initial attempt was blocked by the DePaul wall, but she picked up the rebound and sent a second look that went wide left of the goal.
 
In the 53^rd minute, Beth Smyth jumped onto a fastbreak chance, getting into the box to send a rocket. Her chance was punched at by Woodward near the post, denying the chance to keep the game tied at zero.
 
Richards had a strong opportunity to make a break in the 83^rd minute. The forward made a breakaway dash to the top of the box for a one-on-one chance with Milam that was quickly denied by Milam. Momentum moved to DePaul's side on an ensuing free kick. Milam sent a long shot toward a crowd at the top of the box. Ellie Mink made a workaround move on the ball to get it to Soderstrom near the goal box that she sent just past eh outstretched hand of Woodward and into the back right of the net for the go-ahead goal at the 84:06 mark.
 
Villanova returns home on Thursday for the regular season finale against Providence. That contest begins at 3:30 p.m. inside the friendly confines of Higgins Soccer Complex.