VILLANOVA, Pa. – Providence picked up a first half goal and then held off Villanova the rest of the way to post a 1-0 victory in a BIG EAST clash played Saturday at the Higgins Soccer Complex.
A blustery wind with gusts of up to 24 miles per hour presented the attack for both sides with challenges.
"I thought we played really well," said Villanova head coach Mark Fetrow. "I believe Providence just clinched a playoff berth with that win. To be honest, I thought we were the better team for most of the game. There was a stretch there in the first half where they had us pinned in.
"It was kind of the tale of two halves. With the wind today, it was hard for teams to get out when they were going against the wind. I'm really happy with the way we competed. I thought there were four quality scoring opportunities in the final eight yards where we just needed to be more clinical."
One of those chances came in the final 45 seconds when a nifty bit of passing gave senior Jordan Canica a chance from the right side. But the pass to him was a touch high and his re-direction sailed over the crossbar.
Villanova's other major chance came in the 13th minute when Canica was pulled down inside the Providence 18-yard box, earning the Wildcats a penalty kick. A Jorge Garcia blast from the PK spot eluded goalkeeper Lukas Burns but bounced off the left post and across the goalmouth where the Friars were able to clear the ball.
"We missed the PK and it led to a transition moment for them," said Fetrow. "We have to be better in that moment just to get underneath the ball."
Providence's goal came at 13:24. Pearse O'Brien found Israel Dos Santos Neto on the left side. Neto lofted a precise shot just underneath the crossbar near the right post to give the Friars what would turn out to be the afternoon's only scoring play.
Villanova outshot the Friars 10-8 in the second half but could not find the equalizer. Garcia and Jason Bouregy each ended the day with three shots. In goal, Sebastian Cutler DeJesus made four saves in another fine performance.
"He's such a great leader for us back there," Fetrow said of the junior transfer from Charlotte.
On Tuesday, Villanova steps outside of BIG EAST play to host Drexel in a Philly Soccer Six clash at 3 p.m. Villanova will celebrate Senior Day in its regular season home finale. The regular season concludes one week.
