LEXINGTON, Va. – It took seven periods for a winner to be decided between Villanova and Iona with the Gaels getting the final goal in sudden death to take it 13-12 on Saturday afternoon at the VMI Aquatic Center.
Villanova (13-15, 3-5 MAAC) held a slim 5-3 lead through the first half before Iona (12-8, 4-2 MAAC) began to battle back with ties in the third and fourth, sending the contest to overtime. After an even 12-12 contest through the two overtime periods, the Gaels needed just 22 seconds into the first sudden death period to take the game.
Emily Morrissey scored a team-high four goals in the loss. She was one of three Wildcats to net multiple goals with
Allie Hansen and
Anna Painter each adding on two-goal outings, as well. In net,
Abigail Shelby made 11 saves in the loss.
Stella Byles and
Amelia Baca posted two goals in the first period to give Villanova a 2-1 lead. Iona clawed back to open the second period, scoring a pair to take over the lead, 3-2. A penalty was whistled on Iona's Malia Naugle, giving Villanova a chance to go back ahead. Painter lined up for the five-meter, connecting to even the game at three-all. Morrissey and
Ella Mattocks closed the half with a goal each, giving Villanova a 5-3 advantage at the break.
Both sides exchanged goals until Iona found a streak of back-to-back goals to tie it at 7-7. Painter found the last goal of the third, helping Villanova to hold an 8-7 lead heading into the fourth, but Iona opened the fourth with fury. The Gaels started the period on a 3-1 scoring burst to just back up by one at 10-9 with 3:03 remaining.
Allie Hansen netted a chance with under two minutes remaining, tying the game at 10-10 to send it to overtime.
Morrissey opened the first overtime period with a goal in the first minute, but Iona's Jenna Handali answered with a minute left to level it again.
Emily McKenzie pushed the 'Cats back ahead in the final minute for a 12-11 lead before the second overtime frame. Iona was the only team to score in the period with Handali netting another 22 seconds in. Neither team could get another goal to fall, forcing the game into sudden death. It took the Gaels another 22 seconds into that final period to score, this time with Jordan van Reeken netting the winner.
Villanova has one game left on the weekend as it takes on St. Francis Brooklyn at 4:20 p.m. on Sunday at the VMI Aquatic Center.
