Sept. 18, 2007

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Each of the Villanova fall sports teams enjoyed an outstanding week between September 10-16 and four different teams each have BIG EAST Players of the Week. Below are links to the stories about each player of the week, followed by a short capsule of week's highlights for each team.

Men's Soccer: Seamon Tabbed Offensive Player of the Week
Women's Soccer: Byrnes Named Offensive Player of the Week
Field Hockey: McCormick and Campbell Earn BIG EAST Honors
Volleyball: Cherkez Chosen as BIG EAST Player of the Week

Men's Soccer
Villanova extended its winning streak to five games and its shutout streak to four games with a pair of victories over Saint Joseph's (4-0) and Drexel (3-0) in Philadelphia Soccer Seven competition. Sophomore forward Mike Seamon scored two goals in each game to help lead the Wildcats to a 5-1-0 record on the season. Villanova is currently ranked No. 23 in the College Soccer News Top 30 poll.

Women's Soccer
The Wildcats remained unbeaten through the season's first seven games (5-0-2) with victories over St. Peter's (11-0) and Temple (1-0) and a tie against Lehigh (1-1). In the win over St. Peter's, sophomore forward Erin Byrnes had a career day with three goals and three assists. The 11 goals are the most scored in a game in the nation this season. In Sunday's win over Temple, junior goalkeeper Jillian Loyden tied the program's all-time shutout record with her 29th career shutout. Villanova is ranked No. 28 in the nation in the Soccer Buzz Magazine Top 30 poll.

Field Hockey
In its only game of the week, Villanova (4-2) upset No. 3 Connecticut 3-2 on the road in the BIG EAST Conference opener for both teams. The loss was the first all season for the Huskies (7-1). Connecticut became the highest-ranked team that the Wildcats have defeated under head coach Joanie Milhous. Goalkeeper Maura McCormick made seven of her 11 saves in the second half and Stephanie Campbell netted the game-winning goal off a penalty corner with less than three minutes left in the game.

Volleyball
The week was a busy one for Villanova, which played all five of its matches at home. The Wildcats topped Delaware 3-1 in their home opener and then went 3-1 at the Villanova Classic. Senior outside hitter Alona Cherkez had a dominant week, totaling 117 kills and 57 digs with a .291 attack percentage for the week. She averaged 5.57 kills per game during the week and continues to lead the BIG EAST in kills per game. The Wildcats carry an 8-4 overall record into the opening of conference play this week and will host Connecticut and St. John's this weekend.