Sept. 1, 2000

VILLANOVA, Pa. - In its season opener the Villanova Wildcats defeated the St. Joseph's Hawks by the count of 3-2.

Senior Joe Noonan (Wilmington, Del.) took a pass from freshman Dan Massimini in the box and blasted it past St. Joseph's goalkeeper Michael Drozdick in the 82nd minute to break a 2-2 deadlock.

SJU jumped out to a 1-0 lead as freshman Adam Petitt headed home a pass from junior Roman Escobar in the 30th minute. Villanova freshman Colin Raws (Malvern, Pa.) knotted matters at one goal apiece at the 37:15 mark of the first half.

The Hawks went ahead 2-1 in the 76th minute when Adam Duffy headed home a goal past Wildcat sophomore netminder Sean Teesdale. Less than two minutes later, however, the Cats answered with a goal by David Jones at 77:33. Jones blasted the ball from 30 yards out to beat Drozdick.

That set the stage for Noonan's heroics.

Teesdale made four saves in the Villanova net.

The Wildcats (1-0-0, 1-0 Philadelphia Soccer Seven) return to the Villanova Soccer Complex on Monday, Sept. 4 to face another local rival, La Salle. Game time is 7:00 p.m.