VILLANOVA, Pa. – Facing a 1-0 deficit for over 70 minutes, Lauren Belcuore netted an equalizer in the 89^th minute, helping Villanova to a 1-1 draw with Butler Thursday at Higgins Soccer Complex.
 
The junior's goal marked her first this season in her first start of the campaign and was the latest goal scored by Villanova (4-2-6, 1-2-1 BIG EAST) this season. The draw with Butler (5-4-4, 1-0-3 BIG EAST) now matches a program-high for ties on the year with six, set by the 2007 squad.

"Overall, I thought we were very good today," head coach Samar Azem said. "This was a performance where I look at our team and think we were good on the ball, we were good when we needed to be a little more direct, we were good in how we defended, and then at the end there with just over a minute and half left for (Lauren) and her teammates who served a fantastic ball in. They just weren't going to let it get out of the box until we scored and that was just fantastic." 
 
Belcuore's goal came off a corner from Susanna Soderman late. The ball pinged around in the box, hitting off of Abby Hanks before Belcuore got the final touch that hit off the post and crossed the goal line to level the game at 1-1.

"One of our strengths is set pieces, so I think we knew that was a huge chance for us," Belcuore said. "Everyone was super locked in on that play. I think we knew if we wanted it bad enough, we could get the ball in the back of the net on that play."
 
Villanova trailed 1-0 for a majority of the game after a goal from Butler's Abigail Isger in the 16^th minute. She scored that one on a free kick after a yellow card was shown to Ire Omotayo, sending a shot into the upper left 90.
 
The Wildcats quickly tried to battle back with a pair of shot attempts from Abby Hanks and Jackie Richards that both sailed above the net. Alex Fava tried to chip into the lead in the 36^th minute, but Butler keeper Anna Pierce saved the attempt.
 
Villanova's next best chance to score came in the 68^th minute when Gabby Koluch's attempt was also saved by Pierce. The 'Cats had another chance from Koluch in the 86^th minute, but that went out top right.
 
Payton Woodward was called upon for just one save on the day as Villanova was outshot 17-11, leading the shot on goal tally by a slim 3-2 margin. Richards led the 'Cats with three shot attempts. Isger was the leading Bulldog with four shot attempts.
 
Villanova is home again on Sunday as it hosts Creighton for Youth Day. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.