VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova came up on the wrong side of a thrilling BIG EAST Championship game. Patrick Crogan's game winner in overtime propelled Georgetown to a 11-10 win on Saturday night.
The Hoyas jumped out to a quick 8-1 lead early in the second quarter before Villanova flipped a switch. The Wildcats scored seven straight goals to level the score at halftime.
Lucas Kopecky ignited the run with a transition goal and
Matt Licata capped it off with a man up goal with 16 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Villanova continued its push in the third quarter as Licata found
Nicholas Lucchesi to give the Wildcats their first lead of the evening.
Dan Martin scored his second goal of the evening off an assist from
Thomas McIntire to double the Wildcat lead with 11:57 remaining.
Graham Bundy Jr. got one back for the Hoyas before Alexander Vardaro leveled the score with 4:24 remaining.
Anthony Wilson made the biggest of his 12 saves with just under two minutes left denying Bundy a potential winner. On the ensuing possession
Mason Reale's shot was saved and the ground ball was picked up by Lucchesi with 59 seconds left. The Wildcats ran out the remaining time and could not punch home a game winner.
In sudden death overtime Kopecky won the opening faceoff and the Hoya defense stepped up once again forcing a long range shot by
Luke Raymond that was saved as the shot clock expired. Georgetown then took timeout after a Bundy shot was saved and Crogan scored to win the game. A bittersweet ending for the Wildcats, who finish the season with a 9-7 record.
McIntire led Villanova with three points. Licata and
Colin Michener each had a goal and an assist extending their scoring streak to all 16 games this season.
Stephen Zupicich caused three turnovers and picked up two ground balls. Wilson, Licata and Zupicich were all named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament team for their performances over the last two games.
The defeat marks the end of one of the most decorated senior classes in Villanova history. Together the group accounted for 39 victories.
