PROVIDENCE, R.I. – After building a two-goal lead, Villanova could not answer a pair of Providence goals in the final 25 minutes of action as the sides drew 3-3 on Saturday. The result keeps Villanova unbeaten on the year through its first 13 games.
The draw marks the first time this season that Villanova (8-0-5, 3-0-2) has given up more than one goal in a game. The last team to get multiple goals past the Wildcat defense was also Providence (2-2-9, 0-1-3) on Oct. 25, 2025 when the 'Cats fell to the Friars, 2-1.
"Credit to Providence; to come back two goals in 10 minutes is very impressive," head coach
Samar Azem said. "They put us on our heels. They did to us what nobody has been able to do this season. We've given up three goals the entire season and then we gave up three today, so credit to them. A really good performance by them."
Dez Zapata had a career day in the outing, logging five points on two goals and an assist. The brace marked the first of her career, as well. She has been on a point-scoring fury as of late with at least a point in five of the last seven games.
The junior striker put Villanova up early on a set piece in the fifth minute.
Gabby Koluch's free kick sailed into the penalty area where Zapata was running toward the left post sandwiched between a pair of Friars. She was able to get a quick boot on the ball that went past Caitlin Daley and into the net.
Providence answered in the 24
th minute with an olimpico goal from Emma Gregorski. By the halftime break, Villanova was leading shots 6-5, 3-2 for shots on frame.
Villanova needed just under five minutes into the second half to regain the lead.
Zapata played a ball deep into the 18-yard area from the top of the box where
Avrie Nelsen got a touch near the left post.
Morgan Kotch was close enough to punch a look into the net to make it a 2-1 lead for the 'Cats.
In the 50
th minute, Zapata cemented her brace on an electric breakaway chance. After picking up a pass near the centerline from
Kaydee Amorosa, Zapata raced down the sideline with a Friar on her heels until she got about 10 yards to the right of the 18-yard box. She rocketed a cross that made its way into the left side of the net for a 3-1 advantage.
The Friars got back within one in the 66
th minute on a goal from Kaitlyn Brady. Jocy Koffi created space from the three Wildcat defenders around her deep in the box to get a cross to Brady who quickly tapped the ball into the open part of the net to make it 3-2.
Ten minutes later, Providence leveled the match.
Amaya Coffie played a long ball ahead to Koffi that she played through to Carolyn Hinkle. She was able to get past an oncoming Blue and White defender to get a touch on the ball that went through
Hannah Dickinson's legs and into the net for a 3-3 score.
Kaydee Amorosa was the only Wildcat to get a shot off down the stretch with her chance in the 86
th minute getting blocked. Providence forced Dickinson to make two saves in the last 10 minutes of action. She moves to 8-0-5 on the year after a four-save day. Daley logged five saves in net for the Friars as they outshot the 'Cats 18-16 but Villanova led in shots on goal, 8-7.
Villanova takes on an 11-day hiatus from outside competition before an October 21 road trip to Seton Hall.
