VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova honored is seven seniors in shutout fashion on Saturday at Higgins Soccer Complex with a 1-0 win over Seton Hall to open the BIG EAST slate.
The clean sheet marks the fifth of the season for Villanova (6-3, 1-0 BIG EAST) in the 2025 campaign and is the third in the last four meetings with Seton Hall (3-2-4, 0-1 BIG EAST). The Wildcat defense held the Pirates to a season-low two shot attempts. They kept Seton Hall without a shot on goal, the first time the 'Cats have done so since August 31, 2008 when they held Vermont without a shot on frame.
Alex Little had the first shot on goal for the 'Cats in the 14
th minute, sending a rocket neat the top of the box that was saved.
Gabby Koluch netted the game-winner for the 'Cats in the 27
th minute. The 'Cats were awarded a free kick after a Seton Hall handball. The junior midfielder sent a ringer toward the upper right 90 that connected with the net for her first goal of the season.
That goal marked the second goal of the year for the 'Cats that came off a free kick.
Koluch had another chance in the 36
th minute, but her dribbler was saved near the left post by Seton Hall's Katherine Kleinsmith. By the halftime break, Villanova's 1-0 lead came with a 9-0 lead in shots with three of those on frame.
In the second half, it was
Olivia Neal's turn to place a shot on goal in a quick three-shot sequence in the 86
th minute for the 'Cats that provided some pressure. Koluch had another shot attempt that was blocked by the Pirates. Neal launched the open ball from the top of the 18-yard box but it was saved by a diving Kleinsmith.
Avrie Nelsen got a touch on the ball after the save, but her chance was deflected by a Pirate for a corner kick.
Villanova's offense peppered 17 shot attempts in Saturday's win, the second-most from the team this season. Little,
Morgan Kotch,
Isabelle Chukwu and Koluch all led the way with three attempts.
Gianna Angelillo accounted for both of Seton Hall's shot attempts in the loss. Between the pipes, Kleinsmith made three saves while
Hannah Dickinson was not called upon for one in the win.
Villanova is home again on Wednesday, September 24 against Creighton at 4 p.m.
