Sept. 13, 2009

Villanova, Pa. - In the final game of the annual Vonnie Gros Classic, the Villanova (3-2) field hockey team powered themselves to a 7-1 victory over Appalachian State (2-4) in a neutral site contest at West Chester University. Junior middie Meredith Sabatini (Haddonfield, N.J.) recorded a personal high four goals off of eight shots while fellow classmate Lauren Wuzzardo (Bridgeton, N.J.) added another two goals and two assists for the win.

The first half of the contest was a scoreless battle until the 27th minute when Sabatini began her goal streak off an assist from Wuzzardo. Less than a minute later, the Wildcats doubled their lead when Wuzzardo once again found herself in familiar territory as the hitter in a penalty corner situation. Inserter Meghan Ryan (Wayne, Pa.) and stopper Emily Donaldson (Glassboro, N.J.) executed a successful play to give `Nova the 2-0 nod heading into halftime.

The Wildcats came out for blood as they began the next 35 minutes and started the half with four consecutive corner opportunities. ASU keeper Bridgette Street managed to keep the ball out of the cage on the first three tries, but Sabatini rang in her second goal off the initial save to put the Wildcats up to 3-0.

Redshirt junior Dana Ramsden (Woolwich Township, N.J.) was next to find the net as she came up with her fourth goal of the season in the 43rd minute off Wuzzardo's second assist for the day. 

Less than 10 minutes later, the Apps scored their first and only goal of the game when Lisa Charney found the backboard, making the scoreboard 3-1.

To end the contest, Villanova notched three more goals in the 53rd, 57th and 61st minutes to seal the win when Sabatini added another two unassisted goals and Wuzzardo repeated off an identical corner opportunity to end the game. Sophomore Megan Goelz (Yardley, Pa.) tallied all 70 minutes in cage and only faced three shots in the win. The Wildcat offense was firing on all cylinders as Wuzzardo, Ramsden and Sabatini tallied 11, 10 and 6 shots on goal, respectively.

ASU goalies Bridgette Street and Denise Adams faced a staggering 41 shots from the Villanova offense. Street had 21 saves in the loss.

The Wildcats are back in action in Villanova Stadium for their first home game of the season on Friday, September 18th as they begin BIG EAST Conference play against Rutgers. Game time is scheduled for 7pm.