VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova held a one-goal lead by the halftime break of Senior Day but a St. John's goal in the final 30 seconds forced the 'Cats into a 2-2 draw on Sunday at Higgins Soccer Complex.
Senior
Susanna Soderman accounted for both of Villanova's (4-5-4, 1-1-3) goal in the draw, bringing her to a team-high and career-high five goals on the season. She also has a team-best 13 points on the year. St. John's (5-4-5, 0-3-3) goal in the 90
th minute from Jordan Levy marks the latest goal by a Villanova opponent this season.
The draw brings Villanova to six points on the conference table with three weeks remaining in the regular season.
"The fight from this team was amazing," Villanova head coach
Samar Azem said. "It was incredible, but it was also heartbreaking to lose the lead with 45 seconds and I can see it on their faces. (The seniors) are trying so hard to be positive on Senior Day and it's because they love each other, they love seeing this program grow and it's because of them that we're going to keep growing. We're coming. We're coming for every team ahead of us."
There were shots aplenty in the contest with St. John's taking a 25-13 edge in attempts. The Johnnies led shots on goal 13-7, marking a new high for a Villanova opponent this season. Goalkeeper
Hannah Dickinson grabbed a season-high 11 saves in the draw.
Soderman opened the scoring for Villanova in the fifth minute deep in the box.
Gabby Koluch sent a corner kick in that was pushed away by St. John's keeper Kayla Bower.
Morgan Kotch gained possession near the six-yard box and quickly played a lob over that found Soderman, sending a shot past Bower and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Nearly 15 minutes later, I was Soderman again to double the lead.
Villanova was awarded a free kick almost 30 yards out with the senior being the one to take it. She booted in a rocket that went over a Red Storm wall and past a diving Bower to make it 2-0 in the 20
th minute.
Her brace marked the third of the year for Villanova, joining Shumate and Kotch as the only other two 'Cats with two-goal games this season.
St. John's answered in the 37
th minute to cut the Blue and White lead in half. Nicole Muller grabbed a steal and made a quick pass to Jordyn Levy. She made a turning move to get a pass to Jailene DeJesus, dashing into the penalty area to get a shot past Dickinson to make it 2-1.
By the halftime break, Villanova trailed shots by a narrow 8-6 tally.
Myla McLeod had a strong chance to add to Villanova's lead in the 63
rd minute. She made a shot from the top of the box that sent Malene Nielsen, Johnnies' keeper who entered for the second half, flying through the air for a save. St. John's had a corner kick in the 70
th minute that also came up dangerous, but was saved by Dickinson.
The game-tying goal for the Red Storm came with 31 seconds to play. DeJesus took a shot that was saved by Dickinson but Levy picked up the rebound and scored instantly, knotting the contest at 2-all.
Soderman led the 'Cats with four shots on the day followed closely by Koluch who made three attempts. St. John's Emily Riggins led all players with seven shots.
Villanova hits the road Thursday for an 8 p.m. first kick at Marquette. The group returns home on Sunday, Oct. 20 to host UConn.
