VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova women's lacrosse (8-6, 2-3 BIG EAST) dropped a close 9-8 decision to No. 25 Georgetown in its final home game of the season.

Villanova opened the scoring early as Jillian Vaught found the back of the net off an Ashlyn Hickey assist just over two minutes into the game. Georgetown answered to even things at 1-1, but the Wildcats regained the lead when Vaught set up Bella Piselli to make it 2-1. The Hoyas responded with a pair of goals late in the quarter before Elena Torres converted on a free-position attempt to tie the game at 3-3 heading into the second. 

After a scoreless stretch in the second quarter, Sophia Corretjer scored with under three minutes remaining in the half, finishing an assist from Torres to give Villanova the lead. Georgetown responded with a free position goal, sending the teams into halftime tied at 4-4.

The Hoyas came out strong in the third, scoring three straight goals to build a 7-4 advantage. Leslie Iorio answered for the Wildcats off a feed from Mary Moore to cut into the deficit, and Torres added her second free position goal of the day in the final minute of the quarter to make it a one-goal game, 7-6.

Georgetown opened the fourth with back-to-back goals to extend its lead to 9-6, but Villanova continued to battle. Vaught connected with Rose Christie to bring the score to 9-7, and Torres completed her hat trick to make it a one-goal game with 1:45 remaining. The Wildcats continued to fight, but Georgetown held on for the 9-8 win.

Allie Bell matched her career high with 10 saves in goal while adding three ground balls, and Emma Verhoest led VU with six draw controls as the 'Cats won the DC battle 10 to 8.

UP NEXT: The Wildcats will close out the regular season on the road, traveling to Butler for a noon matchup on April 25.