Aug. 25, 2006

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Sophomore Joe Taylor (Southampton, Pa.) and freshman Mike Seamon (Rahway, N.J.) combined on a pair of goals to lead Villanova to a 3-1 victory over Drexel in the season opener played here on a warm afternoon at the Villanova Soccer Complex.

Drexel generated the first few scoring chances but it was Villanova that cashed its best early opportunity in. After Drexel was whistled for a foul, Taylor took a free kick in front of the Villanova bench, approximately 40 yards from net. He lofted a ball into the box that Seamon re-directed with his head past Dragon goalkeeper Cory Robertson at the 13:18 mark to give the `Cats the 1-0 edge.

Villanova added to that lead later in the first half at the 34:54 mark. Sophomore Dan McKenna (St. James, N.Y.), who had just entered the game as a substitute, picked up a feed from classmate Miles Harrison (Louisville, Ky.), collected himself near the top of the box, and fired a shot past Robertson into the top left corner of the net to make it a two goal `Cat lead. The margin remained two goals for the duration of the half.

Drexel applied all of the pressure in the early stages of the second half. Wildcat goalkeeper Jason Friel (Dublin, Pa.) made several big saves early in the period but couldn't come up with a shot by Drexel's Wade Gerhardt at the 55:10 mark to narrow Villanova's lead to 2-1.

The Dragons kept the heat on, out-shooting the `Cats 11-5 in the period. But Friel was up to the challenge and Villanova created some breathing room when Seamon set up Taylor for a goal at the 79:59 mark.

Friel ended the afternoon with seven saves while Robertson was credited with four. Drexel owned a 16-13 advantage in shots.

Next up for Villanova is another home date, this Sunday at noon against the University of Richmond.