BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Villanova defeated Lehigh 14-8 on Saturday afternoon. Mason Reale recorded a career-high six points and Tyler Boes recorded his first career hat trick in the win.

"My teammates put me in a lot of good spots today," said Reale, who now has 12 points on the season. "We kind of knew what they were going to do today, and we executed our gameplan very well. We are feeling very good going into a short week."

Reale was the star of the opening half, recording four points with a hat trick and an assist. The Connecticut native started hot scoring a minute into the contest then Boes put the 'Cats up two just seconds later. Villanova led 5-2 after the first quarter thanks to Reale and Matt Licata finding the back of net and Nicholas Lucchesi scoring in the final seconds of the frame.

The pace slowed down in the second quarter as the sides traded blows. Boes and Reale each scored, and Lehigh star Cole Scott tallied his second goal of the half to make the score 7-4 at the halftime break.

A pair of solo goals from Boes and Dan Martin pushed the Wildcat lead to five in the third quarter. Licata scored his second goal of the game late in the frame as goalie Anthony Wilson made a save and passed the ball ahead to Colin Michener, who found Licata open for the finish. Dakota Eierman and Quinn Armstrong scored to cut the Wildcat lead to 10-6 after three.

Michener scored two goals in the final frame to seal the game for good. He began the final quarter with a solo goal to push the Wildcat lead back to five. The redshirt freshman has scored in all four contests this season. Reale recorded his sixth point with back-to-back assists to Martin and Luke Raymond as the Wildcats pushed the lead to 14-8.

Villanova's defense was impressive yet again causing a season high 12 turnovers. Tewaaraton Award watch list nominee Reid Colwell caused two turnovers and Tripp Robinson forced three.

Wilson picked up the win in goal recording 13 saves with an impressive .619 save percentage. Ryan Cunningham went 3-5 on faceoffs in the win and four Wildcats picked up at least three points for the first time this season.

Armstrong led the Mountain Hawks with two goals and two assists. Goalie Nick Pecora recorded 14 saves in the loss.

Villanova returns to action this Tuesday when they travel to Drexel for a 5 p.m. start.