CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – Ava Borkowski became the 32nd Wildcat in program history to post a hat trick as the Villanova University field hockey team defeated Mercyhurst, 9-0, on Monday night (Sept. 9) at the Conshohocken Proving Grounds. Borkowski – a graduate transfer from UNC – had not scored a collegiate goal prior to Monday night.
 
Fifth year forward Meghan Mitchell added one goal and one assist, placing her tied for third-most career goals (46) and third in career points (113). Sabine de Ruijter scored her second and third goals of the season, moving her into 12^th-most in career goals with 35. She is tied for 12th with six career multi-goal games.
 
Senior Emma Schwarz tied a career high with four points after scoring a goal and earning two assists.
 
The Blue and White posted its best offensive performance in recent memory. Its nine goals were the highest single-game total for the program since 2009 (10 at Lehigh, Oct. 7), while VU's 47 shots were the fourth most in program history, and most since 1992 (55 vs. Georgetown, Nov. 1).
 
Late in the first quarter, Borkowski deflected a shot into the back of the net to give Villanova a 1-0 advantage.
 
In the second quarter, de Ruijter and Borkowski each tacked on goals before a penalty stroke by de Ruijter gave the Wildcats a 4-0 lead that they would take into halftime.
 
Early in the third quarter, Mitchell deflected in a goal to extend the Villanova lead to five. With 5:06 remaining in the third, Borkowski knocked in her third goal off a rebound to secure a hat trick.
 
Schwarz and Colleen Finnan each scored their second goals of the season in the fourth quarter to give the Wildcats an eight-goal lead. With just over two minutes remaining, Junior Mia Albano scored her first-career goal to give the Blue and White the 9-0 win.

"I'm really proud of how our team played today. It was a total team effort," said head coach Joanie Milhous.
 
Up next, the Wildcats will travel to Merion Station, Pa., to face crosstown rival Saint Joseph's on Friday (Sept. 13) at Ellen Ryan Field. The game will start at 3 p.m. ET and can be streamed live on ESPN+.