PHILADELPHIA – It took until the final 10 minutes of a defensive stalemate between Villanova and Penn for a goal to be scored, resulting in a 1-1 draw on Thursday evening at Penn Park. The two goals came within 70 seconds of each other.
 
Villanova (3-0-4) moves its unbeaten streak to seven games on the season and 10 consecutive since last season when it went 1-0-2 in the final three games of the 2022 campaign. Penn's (4-2-1) late goal was the first to get past the Wildcats' defense since a 1-1 draw at Bucknell on August 31. Since then, the Wildcats have outscored their opponents 4-1 with back-to-back clean sheets to open the month of September.

"A lot of credit to Penn," Villanova head coach Samar Azem said. "The first half, I thought they completely outplayed us. They did a really, really good job of coming out and taking us out of our element. It was a great test though. I appreciate that challenge because we are going to see a lot of that and I thought that our players did an amazing job of adjusting."
 
Jackie Richards netted her team-leading fourth goal of the season in the draw, putting the 'Cats ahead on a header in the 81^st minute. The graduate forward has scored on a header in each of her last three goals scored. Her goal came from a Megan Donnelly corner, marking the junior forward's third assist of the season, also a team high.
 
Abbey Cook provided the game-tying goal for the Quakers in the 82^nd minute, marking the latest game-tying goal for a Villanova opponent this season.

"In the second half, it was a completely different game," Azem said, "and I was really proud to see how much we adjusted in the second half and thought that we played a lot better, scored a goal and just over a minute later, we let a goal in. That one stings, credit to their team for staying in the fight, but we're going to take a lot away from that one."

Penn held a 3-2 shooting edge through the opening 45, but neither side could land a shot on frame. By the end of the night, Villanova trailed in shots 11-8. Of the eight shots attempted by the Quakers in the second half, four of them were blocked by the 'Cats along with an 87^th minute lay-out save by Villanova's keeper Payton Woodward. The Villanova offense forced Penn into three saves, all in the second half.
 
Alex Little picked up a look deep in the box in the 50^th minute that she booted toward the net, but it was saved by Penn's goalkeeper Laurence Gladu, setting up a corner for the 'Cats. The ball sailed into the goal box to meet the head of Alex Fava, but her chance was saved by the Quakers defense, giving possession back to Penn.
 
In the 81^st minute, Donnelly lined up for a corner that came near the right post of the goal where Richards made her way above the crowd. Her header hit off a Quaker on the inside post before going into the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
Just over a minute late, Penn answered with a goal from Cook that got past Payton Woodward in the middle of the net. Penn tried to jump ahead with a Megan Lusher shot, but it was grabbed by a diving Woodward with just over three minutes to play.
 
Villanova is back at home on Sunday as it celebrates Alumni Day when Cornell comes to town. That match will start at 2 p.m. at Higgins Soccer Complex. Villanova will celebrate the 20 year anniversary of the 2003 BIG EAST Championship team at halftime.