April 4, 2006

Box Score

Philadelphia, Pa. - Villanova (5-5) and St. Joseph's (2-8) battled through three overtimes, but 'Nova came up short when SJU's Ian Kelly scored the game-winner at 3:38 in the third OT to give the Hawks a win at home, 7-6, this evening.

'Nova rode a three-game win streak into tonight's game and had won the last seven prior meetings between the two teams.

In a game that featured five ties, Villanova held a 6-5 advantage at 3:14 in the fourth quarter after senior Matt Starker (Summit, N.J.) broke up a St. Joe's clear and cut down the center of the field to score unassisted. But the Hawks' Steve Varga received a pass from Andrew Four and scored high at 2:27 to send the game into extra periods.

The two teams remained scoreless, though each got quality scoring chances, through the first two overtimes. But Kelly scored, off balance, on a point-blank shot to end the game.

Villanova's junior Andy German (Wayne, Pa.), the reigning CAA Co-Player of the Week, scored low at 13:32 in the first quarter. But SJU's Four also posted a goal low at 10:16 to tie the game at 1-1. That was the first of three straight St. Joseph's goals, which gave the Hawks a 3-1 lead at 9:15 in the second quarter.

But 'Nova answered with three of its own. Junior Eric Heidenberger (Chevy Chase, Md.) buried a laser from 15 yards at 4:12 in the second. Starker and German teamed up for a goal by the senior with 1:49 remaining, and German completed a clear for Villanova, racing down the field, and scored low to give the 'Cats the lead, 4-3, at 14:31 in the third. Ten minutes later St. Joe's' Mike O'Neill scored a man-up goal at point-blank range to knot the score again.

Starker recorded his second goal of the game at 13:58 before O'Neill scored at 6:49 to tie the game at five apiece.

Villanova out-shot the Hawks 41-34 but could not convert on extra man opportunities, going 0-5. This is the first time since Mar. 28, 1998 the Wildcats have lost to St. Joseph's, snapping a string of seven straight wins.

Villanova hosts #2 Hofstra at home on Saturday, Apr. 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Score by period

Villanova 1 2 1 2 0 0 0 -- 6

St. Joseph's 2 1 1 2 0 0 1 -- 7

GOALS: Villanova: Matt Starker 3; Andy German 2; Eric Heidenberger 1 St. Joseph's: Mike O'Neill 3; Alex McColough 1; Steve Varga 1; Andrew Four 1; Ian Kelly 1 ASSISTS: Villanova: Andy German 1 St. Joseph's: Andrew Four 1; Alex McColough 1; Mike O'Neil 1; Steve Varga 1; Alex Wilkinson