Oct. 18, 2008

Final Stats

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Junior midfielder Mike Seamon (Rahway, N.J./Union Catholic High School) contributed a goal and an assist to help lead Villanova (6-7-2 overall, 3-3-2 BIG EAST) to a 3-2 victory over the University of Louisville, ranked No. 10 in the nation, in a BIG EAST men's soccer match played here on a cool, crisp evening.

The Wildcats received an early boost from senior midfielder Farris Fakhoury (Parlin, N.J./St. Joseph Regional High School). Fakhoury converted a cross from Seamon at 14:54 to stake Villanova to the early lead.

Louisville answered with a score of its own at 23:24. Freddie Braun scored off a play that began with a free kick to deadlock the contest at one. That's where the contest remained when the two teams headed for their respective locker rooms at intermission.

The momentum moved toward Villanova when the `Cats were awarded their first penalty kick of 2008. Senior midfielder Joe Taylor (Southampton, Pa./Archbishop Wood H.S.) calmly converted the chance for his first goal of the campaign to give VU a lead it would not relinquish.

"That was a key point in the game for us," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "We were able to convert the PK and that gave us the lead."

Less than six minutes later Seamon extended the Villanova advantage to 3-1. He lofted a ball into the net from 18 yards out at 53:09.

"Mike really got ahold of that one," Carlin said. "When he hits the ball like that you just know it's going into the net."

Louisville countered with a goal of its own at 62:43 when Colin Rolfe's shot was deflected into the Villanova net to narrow the gap to 3-2.

"Chris Bresnahan made an absolutely great save on the first shot," noted Carlin, "but unfortunately for us the rebound came right back to their guy."

Louisville, which outshot the Wildcats 16-5 on the night, pushed to tie but Villanova's defense did not buckle. The win gave VU three crucial BIG EAST points in the race towards the post-season. Only three games remain on the regular season schedule after tonight.

"This group has faced a lot of adversity this season and they deserve to enjoy this," said Carlin. "We fought through some things tonight and came up with a BIG EAST road win. I'm proud of our guys."

Villanova returns home to begin its final push on Friday against USF. Please note that game time has been moved up to 3:00 p.m. This was originally listed as a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.