CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – The Villanova University field hockey team defeated Fairfield, 4-3, on Sunday (Oct. 27) at the Proving Grounds. Four seniors – Anne Drabbe, Emma Leppert, Emma Schwarz and Raina Smolij – were honored before the game.
 
The Wildcats (9-7) jumped out to a 4-1 lead early in the third quarter and held on as Fairfield (9-7) scored two late goals to cut the lead to one.
 
With just under three minutes to play in the first quarter, Schwarz flicked a backhanded shot into the goal to give Villanova a 1-0 lead.
 
With 9:21 left to play in the second quarter, a Meghan Mitchell breakaway led to a penalty stroke for the Wildcats. Sabine de Ruijter converted on the opportunity to put the Blue and White ahead, 2-0, a lead that VU would take into the half. De Ruijter now ranks second in program history in career penalty strokes with eight.
 
In the opening minute of the second half, Fairfield's Rylee Laloup found the back of the net to cut the Villanova lead to 2-1. Just over a minute later, Mitchell deflected a shot from de Ruijter off a penalty corner into the goal to reclaim a two-goal lead for the Wildcats.
 
Later in the third quarter, Ava Borkowski received a pass from Drabbe near the top of the shooting circle and launched a backhanded shot into the top left corner of the goal for her fourth goal in two games. The spectacular shot gave Villanova a 4-1 lead with 8:50 remaining in the third quarter.
 
With 10:20 to play in the fourth, Agustina Casteluchi tipped in a goal off a penalty corner to bring the Stags within two. Then, less than two minutes later, Camille Perlov tacked on another Fairfield goal, slashing the Villanova lead to 4-3.
 
The Wildcats only allowed Fairfield to take more shot – which was blocked by the Villanova back line -- in the final 8:28 of play, hanging on for the 4-3 win.
 
Leppert earned the win in her first start of the season for the Blue and White, improving to 1-0. Emily Streib made one save and was credited with the loss for the Stags.
 
"It was a really great day to honor our seniors and fifth years," said head coach Joanie Milhous. "I'm excited we could finish it off with a win for them!"
 
Up next, the Wildcats will hit the road for their regular season finale at Providence on Friday (Nov. 1) at Lennon Family Field. The game will begin at 3 p.m. and will be streamed live on FloSports.