PHILADELPHIA – A scoring onslaught late in the first half saw four goals scored in nearly seven minutes. Avrie Nelsen scored two in that span to help lift Villanova to a 3-1 win over Penn on Sunday evening at Rhodes Field.

The win gave Villanova (5-3) its fifth nonconference win, marking its most heading into BIG EAST play since 2021. This is the second consecutive win for the 'Cats over Penn (4-1-2) and the most goals they scored on the Quakers since 2008 when they left Penn with a 3-2 victory. The three Wildcat goals were the most allowed by the Quakers this year, coming into the game with just four total allowed in their first six games.

Nelsen is also the first Wildcat this season to score multiple goals in a game, bringing her to a team-high four goals on the year with a goal in two of the last three games. She finished the evening with four shots on frame and four points, also single-game highs for the 'Cats, and five shot attempts overall.

"I learned this team can do anything," the freshman said. "We do everything together. We push each other to the max and I think that we saw that on the field today. We were absolutely relentless in front of the net."

🎙️"We push each other to the max, and I think that we saw that on the field today."

Hear from Avrie Nelsen after her two-goal showing in our win over Penn. #GoNova pic.twitter.com/h6kGGzdQLr
— Villanova Women's Soccer (@NovaWSoccer) September 15, 2025
 

Morgan Kotch also accounted for a goal and an assist for a three-point night. As a whole, the Wildcats placed a season-high 11 shots on frame. Nelsen and Amalia Cardo combined for seven of those, landing four and three, respectively.

Villanova's first scoring chance came in the 23^rd minute as a foul was whistled on Penn in the box, giving the 'Cats a penalty kick. Cardo's attempt was saved by a diving Megan Graves. Alex Little tried to capitalize with a shot off the save's redirect, but her chance was blocked as well.

A bevy of scoring opened in the 32^nd minute with all four first half goals coming in the next six and a half minutes.

Nelsen opened the scoring with a cross inside that was deflected into the net by a Quaker defender in the mouth of the net to give Villanova a 1-0 lead in the 32^nd minute.

Penn answered just 56 seconds later with a chance near the right post. Mallory Lucas sent a pass deep into the box that landed near the front of the net. Mis Fuss slid in at the back post to connect with the lower right corner, making it a 1-1 contest in the 33^rd minute.

The 'Cats pushed their lead back out to a goal with Nelsen's number getting called again in the 36th. Morgan Kotch played a short pass to Gabby Koluch who sent a quick arching pass into the heart of the 18-yard box. Nelsen settled the ball with a few gentle touches, getting past two Penn defenders for a 2-1 advantage.

BRACE ALERT! Avrie x2 #GoNova pic.twitter.com/77aLdpdpEj
— Villanova Women's Soccer (@NovaWSoccer) September 14, 2025
 

A quick-footed play from Kotch in the 38^th gave the Blue and White a 3-1 lead. Olivia Neal delivered a throw in toward the box that was headed by a Quaker. The sophomore who was heavily guarded by a defender near the end line in the 18-yard box was able to get a foot on the ball in front of oncoming defender that glanced off the far post and into the net.

By the halftime break, Villanova had outshot Penn 12-5, 10-2 for shots on goal. Neither side could get a goal to fall in the second half with Penn holding a 10-4 edge in shots in the final 45. Villanova finished with a narrow 16-15 lead in shots but had a hefty 11-4 shots on goal advantage.

Hannah Dickinson made three saves in the win for her fifth win of the year. The Wildcats offense forced Graves to make eight saves. Lucas finished the evening with a team-leading three shots.

Villanova returns home on Saturday, September 20 for Senior Day against Seton Hall. That BIG EAST opener is set to begin at 4 p.m. inside Higgins Soccer Complex.