Villanova Univeristy Athletics

Women’s Soccer Falls to Penn in Final Non-Conference Game

Philadelphia, Pa.- The Villanova Wildcats fell to the Penn Quakers on Thursday night by a final of 2-0.  This was the final regular season non-conference game for the Wildcats who are now 6-2 heading into BIG EAST play next week.

"Hats off to UPENN, said head coach Chris McLain.  "They came in very prepared and limited us to few quality scoring chances.  I actually thought we started off fantastic and really dictated the rhythm and tempo of the game. They made some good changes which we knew they would but then we didn't adapt and it changed the dynamics of the game."

Villanova started off strong on offense with Francesca Yanchuk  taking the first shot of the game in the sixth minute that was blocked.  Megan McClay  had saves in the 25th and 31st minute to keep the game scoreless.

Penn netted their first goal in the 32nd minute when Sizzy Lawton got a shot off after the first shot by fellow teammate Lauren Teuschl was saved by McClay and bounds back into play.  Lawton was able to get a touch on the ball and get a clean shot off to make it 1-0 Quakers. 

Villanova had a strong chance just minutes later when Maddie Fried sent a ball into the box that found Brice McInroy in the 36th minute.  There the senior was able to get a header on the ball and guide it to fall in front of classmate Reagan Smith.  Smith was able to get a shot off even with a defender close by, but it was saved by Laurence Gladu.  Penn led 1-0 at the half.

In the opening minutes of the second half the Wildcats were awarded a free kick 25 yards out.  The ball was kicked around in the middle of the box and found Susanna Soderman, who was located by the near side post.  The freshman was able to get a strong shot off that was saved by Gladu.    

Penn netted their second goal of the game in the 77th minute when this time Lawton set up Teuschl for the goal.  Teuschl took her shot from just inside the box and got it to fall just out of the reach of McClay to make it 2-0.

Lauren Belcuore had a strong shot from the top the box that was on target that was saved in the 81st minute to make the final 2-0.

"Overall, you have to have quality in the final third. We were just off today and that is not how we wanted to go into the Big East. The early service wasn't great, our killer passes were not great, we didn't shoot to score, and we wanted to win the game with individual greatness. Only playing for the teammate on your left and the teammate on your right will help you win games in tough Darby's like this."

Villanova will return to action next Thursday when they host the Seton Hall Pirates for their BIG EAST opener.  Kick off at Higgins Soccer Complex is scheduled for 3:00 P.M. and can be seen on the BIG EAST Digital Network on FloSports.

"We have some time before we play Seton Hall and Marquette. That allows us to learn from games like these. We will be prepared and ready, as long as we learn from these type of games, we will be a better team come Thursday."

Kryza Nets Overtime Game Winner for the Wildcats

Villanova, Pa.- On a cold and rainy afternoon at Higgins Soccer Complex sophomore Sophia Kryza netted the game winning goal to give the Villanova Wildcats the win over the Seton Hall Pirates. 

After a scoreless first half by both teams the Pirates got on the board first when Laura Hooper placed a corner kick right in front of the goal that was headed in by Cassy Harrigan to put them up 1-0 in the 58th minute.  Villanova would tie the game up at one in the 66th minutes when Emma Weaver sent a ball in from just outside the box to Chloe O'Neill.  There O'Neill was able to draw out the keeper and get her header to all in goal.

Maria Thomas played the second half and all of overtime in goal for the Wildcats and finished with five saves include one in the opening minute of the first overtime when Hooper got a shot from 20 yards out to sail right below the cross bar but Thomas was able to punch it out. 

Kyrza's goal was scored in the 102nd minute on a long pass from Alexa Wojnovich.  Kryza's shot was strong and first went off the Pirate's keeper fingers but the momentum of the shot continued, and it went into the back of the goal to make the final 2-1.

Villanova will host the St. John's Red Storm on Sunday.  The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 P.M.

Wildcats Fall to Marquette, 3-1

Milwaukee, Wis.- The Villanova Wildcats (7-5-3, 3-2-1 BIG EAST) fell on Sunday afternoon to the Marquette Golden Eagles (6-8-1, 3-2-1 BIG EAST) by a final of 3-1 on the road.

Villanova's offense got off to a strong start, Chloe O'Neill got a shot on goal in the opening minute that was saved by Marquette keeper, Maddy Henry.  The Wildcats got off six shots in the first half, placing four on goal but Henry saved every shot.  The Golden Eagles found the back of the net in the 27th minute when Madison Burrier set up Alyssa Bombacino for the first goal of the game.  Bombacino would net her second of the day on a pass from Josie Kelderman in the 40th minute to put Marquette up 2-0 at halftime.

The Wildcats answered back in the second half when Sam Rosette found the back of the goal in the 57th minute to make it a one goal game.  A hand ball in the box by Kelderman gave Villanova a penalty kick opportunity in the 63rd minute.  Kristin Barbour took the game tying shot for the Wildcats, but it was saved by Henry. 

Marquette would go down the field and Bombacino would score her third of the game in the 65th minute to make the final 3-1. 

Rebecca Gartner played all 90 minutes between the posts and finished with six saves on the day.  Brice McInroy led the Villanova offense with six shots against the Golden Eagles, the sophomore placed four of them on goal.

Villanova will return to action on Thursday, October 24th when they host the St. John's Red Storm. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 P.M. and can be seen on BEDN.