CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – Graduate student Ava Borkowski earned her second hat trick of the season as the Villanova University field hockey team shut out No. 19-ranked Temple, 3-0, on Friday (Oct. 25) at the Proving Grounds. It is the Wildcats' first ranked win since 2018.
 
Borkowski is the 10th Wildcat to post multiple hat tricks in a season, and the first since Lydia Sydnor in 2019.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Maddi Sears tallied three saves in her third shutout of the season, lowering her goals-against average to 1.76.
 
To start the game, both teams were held without a shot throughout most of the half until a series of penalty corners for the Owls (9-6, 4-2 BIG EAST) resulted in four blocked shots in the final minute of the second quarter. Both teams remained scoreless at the half.
 
Midway through the third quarter, Borkowski deflected in her first of three goals off of a shot by Emma Schwarz to give Villanova (8-7, 3-3 BIG EAST) a one-goal lead. Just under five minutes later, Borkowski scored another goal unassisted, extending the Wildcats lead to 2-0 before the end of the third.
 
With just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Temple pulled their goalkeeper, leaving an empty net for Borkowski to score her third goal 20 seconds later.
 
Temple put a shot on goal with 1:06 left to play, but a diving save by Sears retained the shutout and sealed the 3-0 win for Villanova.
 
Sears improved to 7-6 with the win, while Temple's Isabella Ospitale took the loss for the Owls.
 
"I'm very happy for our team," said head coach Joanie Milhous. "We played a strong game and made some opportunities happen and converted. Maddi (Sears)and our defensive corner crew did a great job for us as well."
 
Up next, the Wildcats will host Fairfield on Sunday (Oct. 27) at the Conshohocken Proving Grounds. The game will begin at noon and will be streamed live on FloSports. Four seniors will be recognized for senior day: Anne Drabbe, Emma Leppert, Emma Schwarz and Raina Smolij.