NEW HAVEN, Conn.—Villanova nearly completed an improbable comeback as they fell to No. 9 Yale 13-11 on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats erased a five-goal deficit in the fourth quarter before the Bulldogs pulled away in the final minutes.

Matt Licata led Villanova (0-2) with four goals including three in the third quarter. Luke Raymond and Thomas McIntire each finished with three points for the 'Cats.

Yale (1-0) jumped out to a 3-1 lead early before Colin Michener responded with two goals including a sweet backhand finish amid three Bulldog defenders. Raymond tied the game at three halfway through the period with a rocket into the left side of the goal before the Bulldogs rallied for two unanswered goals to take a 5-3 advantage into the second frame.

Licata and Mason Reale both found the net in the second quarter, but Yale extended their lead to four curtesy of two goals in ten seconds from Johnny Keib and David Anderson. McIntire tallied two first half assists as the Wildcats were out shot 29-13 in the half.

Villanova rallied in the second half as they went on a 5-0 run to tie the score after Yale went up 10-5 early in the third quarter. The Wildcats clamped down on the defensive end and the offense was impressive as Licata, Raymond, and freshman Nicholas Lucchesi found the back of the net to level the score.

Matt Brandau gave the Bulldogs the lead early in the fourth before sophomore Luke Williams scored the lone Wildcat goal of the quarter as he picked up a ground ball in the midfield and outran five Yale defenders to tie the game at 11. Carson Kuhl scored the final two goals of the game to win the game for Yale.

Anthony Wilson dazzled in goal for Villanova as he recorded 14 saves in his second career start. He was a key piece in the comeback as he denied the Bulldogs on many high percentage chances. Ohio State transfer Stephen Zupicich caused two turnovers in the loss.

Jared Paquette picked up the win in goal recording nine saves for Yale. Brandau finished with six points to lead the Bulldogs as Anderson and Kuhl finished with three points apiece.

Villanova returns to action next Saturday when they take on Colgate in the home opener at Villanova Stadium. Opening faceoff is set for 12 p.m.