March 4, 2006

Box Score

Philadelphia, PA - Senior co-captain Matt Starker (Summit, N.J.) and freshman Tim Langan, Jr. (Madison, N.J.) each had two goals for the Villanova Wildcats (1-2), but the University of Pennsylvania (2-0) scored five straight goals in the third and fourth quarters to overpower 'Nova and come away with a 9-6 win at Franklin Field this afternoon.

Penn's James Riordan opened the scoring at 9:48 in the first when he beat Villanova goalie senior co-captain Joe Canuso (Moorestown, N.J.) high right off a pass from Craig Andrzejewski. 'Nova's Eric Heidenberger (Chevy Chase, Md.) evened the score three minutes later when he posted an unassisted goal at 6:19. Quaker Patrick Rogers also went top shelf on Canuso and scored, unassisted, at 5:37 to put Penn up 2-1, but Starker notched the first of his goals on an extra man opportunity to again even the score, 2-2, at 3:25 after Penn's Jeff Mills was called for slashing.

Langan, Jr. tallied the only two goals of the second quarter, and first two of his career, getting assists from junior Andy German (Wayne, Pa.) and freshman Matthew Fritts (Dallas, Tex.). Langan, Jr. also went middle right on Penn goalie Greg Klossner for his first goal before shooting just under the crossbar on a give and go. Langan, Jr.'s two goals gave the 'Cats a 4-2 advantage.

But those were the last goals Villanova would score until 11:49 remained in the game. Penn brothers Craig and D.J. Andrzejewski combined to score five straight goals to take a 7-4 lead.

Wildcat junior Eric Webber (Denver, Colo.) stemmed the scoring barrage with a goal at 11:49 in the fourth. After German was stripped of the ball in front of the cage, Webber picked up the groundball and scored a point-blank goal on Klossner. D.J. Andrzejewski tallied another goal at 6:32 to put Penn up 8-5 before Starker scored from ten yards out off a feed from sophomore Chris MacDonald (Westfield, N.J.). Quaker Luke Dixson posted a goal off a bounce shot with 2:17 remaining for the final score.

Canuso made 13 saves for his second straight ten-plus save game. Penn held the face-off advantage, 12-6.

Villanova returns to action on Tuesday, Mar. 7 when the Wildcats take on Lafayette at 7:00 p.m. in Villanova Stadium.