Sept. 1, 2005

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VILLANOVA, Pa. - Freshman Joe Taylor (Southampton, Pa./Archbishop Wood H.S.) scored with 31 seconds left in regulation to lift the Villanova Wildcats (1-0-0) to a win over the Delaware Blue Hens (0-1-0) in the season opener for both teams played this afternoon at the Villanova Soccer Complex.

Villanova carried play for most of the afternoon. The Wildcats held a 9-3 advantage in shots in the first half but were unable to convert those opportunities into a score.

Delaware generated its best scoring chance midway through the second half. Sobhan Tadjalli's free kick sailed into the box and was deflected past Villanova goalkeeper Jason Friel (Dublin, Pa./Pennridge H.S.) before it knocked off the post and back out into the box. Villanova defenders then cleared the ball out of harm's way.

The pivotal play began near midfield. Villanova sophomore Jon Wells (Montclair, N.J./Montclair H.S.) lofted a ball over the top of Delaware's back line. Taylor sneaked past the line of defenders and collected the ball with a clear line towards Blue Hen goalie Chris Jones. Taylor drilled a shot along the ground towards the net. Jones managed to get a piece of the shot but the momentum of the blast carried it over the goal line into the back of the net.

"Farris Farkhoury ran a marking cross and I think that may have distracted their defense," Taylor explained. "Jon Wells fed me a perfect ball."

Villanova owned a 17-8 advantage in shots on the afternoon. Friel made three saves in posting the shutout.

"This was a good win for us," stated Wildcat head coach Larry Sullivan. "Delaware played hard and they certainly didn't make things easy for us. We had some athletic scoring chances but not a lot of touch chances. That's something we have to work on."

Next up for the Wildcats is a visit to Fairleigh Dickinson this Sunday at 5:00 p.m.