VILLANOVA, Pa. – For the first time this season, Villanova found itself having to battle back from a deficit. A Makayla Stadler goal did just that as the Wildcats drew with Cornell, 1-1, to close out the non-conference schedule on Sunday at Higgins Soccer Complex.
 
Villanova (3-0-5) came back from a fifth-minute Cornell (2-0-4) goal, leveling the contest in the 28th minute on a Stadler header from an Ire Omotayo free kick. This third consecutive draw marks back-to-back 1-1 results for the 'Cats and the fourth tie in the last five games. The Wildcats have still yet to face a loss since the 2022 season, extending its unbeaten streak to 11 straight contests.
 
"Great ball by Ire, but Makayla's header was a really nice goal. It was so well-timed. I mean, nobody was saving that. That was fantastic," Villanova head coach Samar Azem said. "I think it was just the belief with this team. We haven't been down and found our way back into a game like that, so I was really proud of the team for rising even though the first 15 minutes were shaky, but it's understandable. Our last game that we had, we didn't really play like ourselves. So, we knew starting this game, we kind of had to shed some of that, and, unfortunately, Cornell capitalized very early on that and then we got back into the game. I thought she did a fantastic job; Makayla gave the team life again in that moment."
 
Both sides took plenty of opportunities to make breaks throughout the contest with a combined 25 shots attempted, the third-most in a Villanova game this season. The Wildcats led the shot tally 13-12 with Stadler leading the team with three attempts, one on frame. Shots on goal were just as close with Villanova holding a 6-5 advantage.
 
Cornell quickly jumped out to a 1-0 lead after a goal from Mia Gonzalez in the fifth minute. After a Big Red pass was briefly dispossessed by Abby Hanks who was covering Gonzalez, she broke free to gain control of the ball just inside the 18-yard box. She went one-on-one with Payton Woodward and sent a shot across that bounced off the left post and into the net. It was the quickest goal against for a Villanova opponent this season.
 
In the 28^th minute, Omatayo's set piece flew into the box, just over the head of a Cornell defender and onto that of Stadler. Her header sailed into the net, evening the game at 1-1. Stadler is up to four goals on the season now, making her a co-leader in goals for the 'Cats. This was Omotayo's first assist of her career.
 
Both Gabby Koluch and Lauren Ashman had chances to get Villanova ahead before the half, but both shots were saved by Cornell's Natalie Medugno.
 
By halftime, Villanova was leading in shots 7-4 with a 5-3 edge in shots on target. Payton Woodward saved a pair of looks in the first half, both of those coming in the first 25 minutes of action.
 
In the second half, the graduate keeper was not called upon for a save until the 72^nd minute, grabbing an attempt by Cornell's Peyton Nichols after a corner kick. Woodward finished the day with a season-high four saves.
 
Alex Little had an 88^th minute sequence of shots deep in the 18 yard box to get a late push for the 'Cats. She sent a shot that was swatted away by Medungo and then sent another shot that sailed over the net for the last chance from either side.
 
Little, Ashman and Richards all landed one of their two shot attempts on frame in the afternoon. Gonzalez led Cornell with four shot attempts, three of those on goal.
 
Villanova now turns its attention to BIG EAST action in one week when it welcomes Seton Hall to Higgins Soccer Complex next Sunday after a week away from competition. That conference lidlifter is set for a 4 p.m. first kick.