VILLANOVA, Pa. – Despite holding a 1-0 lead at the break, Villanova saw its advantage erased on two unanswered Creighton goals, falling 2-1 at Higgins Soccer Complex on Sunday.
 
This is the first loss Villanova (4-3-6, 1-3-1 BIG EAST) has faced on its home pitch this season. It is also just the second home loss in the all-time series with Creighton (3-7-4, 1-5 BIG EAST), tying the overall ledger at 5-5.
 
Villanova's lone goal in the defeat belonged to Jackie Richards, her fifth goal of the season. The graduate forward led the 'Cats with five shot attempts, two on frame. Hannah Luke scored the equalizer for Creighton with the game-winner coming from Alyssa Judkins. In net, Villanova's Payton Woodward made a season-high five saves. On the other end, Creighton's Keelan Terrell also made five saves.
 
A handball in the box in the 24^th minute gave Villanova a chance to take the lead. Richards lined up for the team's first penalty kick of the season, but it was saved by Terrell. She bounced back in the 38^th minute thanks to a ball played from Megan Donnelly. She picked up a misdirect from the Bluejays and sent a through-pass to an open Richards who picked up the ball in the box and sent it past a falling Terrell to make it 1-0. The assist is Donnelly's fifth of the campaign.
 
Creighton was awarded a free kick just outside of the penalty box in the 48^th minute. Anja Jestrovic sent the set piece in toward the net that glanced off Luke at the post, leveling the game 1-1.
 
A quick sequence of shots in the 68^th minute saw Creighton take the final lead of the game. Lara Kazandjian sent a long shot that hit off the crossbar and bounced off the ground. Judkins raced into the mouth of the net to head in the game-winner at 2-1.
 
Villanova hits the road Thursday to face No. 12 Georgetown. Kickoff against the Hoyas is set for 3 p.m.