NORTHRDIGE, Calif. – Entering the fourth quarter down by six, Villanova used a five-goal fourth quarter to get back within striking range but fell to No. 24 CSUN, 12-9, on Tuesday evening at the Matador Pool.
Villanova (8-8) fell into an early 4-0 hole through the first period of play before the CSUN (15-5) lead swelled to as many as eight goals early in the second half. The 'Cats fought back to cut the lead back to four in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter, but the comeback came too late. With the loss, Villanova sees its six-game winning streak snapped. That is the longest streak of wins for the team since the 2017 squad won eight in a row.
Emily McKenzie led the team with three goals on six attempts.
Stella Byles had a game-high five points on two goals and three assists while adding three steals.
Amelia Baca also netted two goals, picking up two steals.
CSUN created early distance with four unanswered goals through the first quarter. That scoring run extended into the second period with Anna Pal pushing the Matador's lead out to 5-0. The 'Cats cut into the deficit on an even strength goal from
Emily McKenzie at the 5:20 mark, making it a 5-1 game. CSUN grabbed onto back-to-back goals from Pal and Dorottya Telek to get push the lead out to six at 7-1.
Amelia Baca pushed another goal in for Villanova with 2:21 left in the half but Pal's hat trick goal with a minute of play left made it a 9-2 game at the break.
The Matadors' lead grew out to 10-2 two minutes into the third quarter with a goal from Shelby Hovanesian. McKenzie and
Anna Painter moved the net with goals in the final four minutes of the third to start a Blue and White scoring run, cutting the CSUN advantage to six at 12-4.
Villanova kept the momentum on its side in the first minute and a half of the fourth quarter.
Emily Morrissey and Byles made it a 4-0 run for the 'Cats to trail 10-6. The streak came to a halt with 5:19 remaining as Telek ended CSUN's scoring drought. McKenzie locked in her hat trick at the 2:25 mark to make it an 11-7 contest. Carly Bockstahler put another goal away for the Matadors with just under two and a half minutes to play for a 12-7 game. Villanova answered with goals from Byles and Baca in the final two minutes but it wasn't enough to make the comeback.
Gracin Kerry started in net for the 'Cats, making four saves, one of those against a five-meter attempt.
Sarah Shaw entered the game for the second half, making four saves, including one on a penalty attempt.
Villanova stays in the Golden State through the weekend as it gears up for the Aztec Invitational on Friday and Saturday. Both days of action will take place at San Diego State's Aztec Aquaplex.
