PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Villanova field hockey picked up a huge BIG EAST win over Providence 2-1 on Friday. VU moves its overall record to 9-6 on the season and its conference record to 3-2.
Molly Zimmerman collected the first goal for the 'Cats midway through the fourth for her second of the season. Gemma Lysaght picked up her eighth assist of the season on the goal. Colleen Finnan tallied the team's game-winning goal with Aimee Largoza on the assist. The goal by Finnan marked her fourth straight game scoring and her ninth of the season.
The win gives Villanova a crucial head-to-head advantage over Providence as the two teams entered with the same BIG EAST record.
"Really proud of our team for playing until the final minute and never giving up," said head coach Joanie Milhous. "We knew what we were in for and that it was going to be a very competitive game. Providence is obviously a very strong team and has been having a great season. But really important win for us within the Big East. We still have some more steps to qualify for the tournament, but that was a big one."
In the first quarter, Providence had the early advantage with two early shots that were both saved by goalkeeper Maddi Sears. The 'Cats then flipped the momentum in their favor and finished the quarter strong with two penalty corners. The first had Gemma Lysaght garner a shot that was blocked. The second was turned away by the Friars' defense. Both teams headed into the second still scoreless.
Both offenses began to find their footing and opportunities throughout the second. Providence once again had the early momentum, with three shots within the first three minutes of the quarter. The Wildcats then fired back with two penalty corners of their own but couldn't convert on either. Providence controlled the action the rest of the way, outshooting Villanova four to zero and having three penalty corners. Sears and VU's defense stood strong to head into halftime with the score 0-0.
The third quarter was much of the same as the previous two, with Providence forcing the pressure early and Villanova responding. The Friars garnered an early shot just 30 seconds into the frame, then earned a subsequent corner, where their shot was blocked. The 'Cats then went back on the attack with three shots of their own as well as a penalty corner. Following the final push by Villanova, both teams only tallied one shot for the last nine minutes of the action to head to the fourth scoreless.
Providence then broke open the scoring midway through the fourth with Martu Torre Festa scoring the goal, her third of the season. Even with the scoring deficit, Villanova didn't let that deter them and forced a penalty corner. Following the try, VU pulled Sears for the extra attacker and earned two consecutive corners. The first was denied; however, Lysaght sent a blast towards the net that was redirected by Molly Zimmerman to cut the lead to one.
Sears re-entered the game following the goal; however, Providence was on the attack and earned two corners of their own. The first, the Friars didn't record a shot, and then the team mishandled the inserting pass on the second. Following the turnover, Villanova quickly turned defense into offense. Ava Borkowski found Adie Minnella, who passed to Aimee Largoza for the initial shot that was bounced right back to Largoza. The sophomore then passed to a breaking Colleen Finnan for the goal with 90 seconds left in the action. Villanova's defense held strong to give the team its third BIG EAST win, 2-1.
In net, Maddi Sears picked up her ninth win of the season. In the action, the senior collected an .857 save percentage with six saves on seven shots faced. She moves her season total to 69 saves, and her save percentage to .772.
"She started strong for us and has really been steady in goal," said Coach Milhous. "She is having a fantastic season. She had one of her best career games yesterday with four particularly outstanding saves. She clearly kept us in the game. Our entire team and coaching staff have a lot of confidence in her."
Up Next: Villanova will stay on the road and head to Wagner for its non-conference finale on Sunday, October 25, at 12 p.m. from Staten Island, N.Y.
