STORRS, Conn. – The Villanova University field hockey team fell to No. 8-ranked UConn, 5-0, on Friday afternoon (Oct. 4) at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex.
 
UConn (10-1, 3-0 BIG EAST) took a 3-0 lead in the first half behind three goals from Isabel Soeters. All three goals came from penalty corners, giving the Huskies a sizeable lead at halftime.
 
In the third quarter, junior Evelyn O'Neill earned a chance to put Villanova on the board after a nifty feed from Raina Smolij, but her shot went wide, keeping the Wildcats (6-5, 2-1 BIG EAST) scoreless.
 
Less than three minutes later, UConn earned another penalty corner. After a few shot attempts, the Huskies tacked on another goal to extend their lead to four.
 
To end the third quarter, UConn's Milaw Clause was assessed a yellow card, giving the Wildcats a one-player advantage well into the fourth quarter. Barret Trigg was able to get off a shot that went wide, and Villanova failed to capitalize on the advantage.
 
With just under 10 minutes remaining, the Huskies' added another goal to take a 5-0 lead that it would hold throughout.
 
UConn goalkeeper Natalie McKenna earned the win, while Maddi Sears (6-5) took the loss for Villanova while making three saves. Senior Emma Leppert saw action in the cage for the second time this season, making two saves.
 
Up next, the Wildcats will return to the Philadelphia area to face City Six-opponent Penn on Sunday (Oct. 6) at Ellen Vagelos field. The game is scheduled for noon and will be streamed live on ESPN+.