Oct. 8, 2004

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa.- The Villanova field hockey team came away with their biggest victory of the season, defeating No. 15 Syracuse by a score of 3-1, Friday night at Villanova Stadium. The Orange (8-5, 2-1) had not lost in seven games, or been held to just one goal since their last loss on September 12. The Wildcats (8-3, 2-1) earned their fifth consecutive victory, second BIG EAST victory, and handed the `Cuse their first BIG EAST loss.

Megan Foster scored the first goal, an unassisted shot that flew past goalie Betsy Wagner just 4:30 into the contest. Less than one minute later, at 5:27, Stephanie Campbell earned her second goal of the season when she caught a pass from Sara Schmidt and sailed it into the back of the goal.

The score remained 2-0 going into the half. Syracuse had its biggest chance to score when Joanne Lombard dashed past Erin Scott for a would-be goal, but was stopped twice; once by Vanessa Pizzulli and a second time by Katie DiLullo, each of them bringing in defensive saves for the `Cats.

Immediately following the half, at 37:26, Foster found the back of the net for her team-high twelfth goal of the season. Pizzulli assisted Foster in the third goal of the evening and needs just four more to set a new school record for career assists.

Syracuse got on the board at 42:31 when Ashley Fry beat out several defenders, found her shot directly in front of the goal, and fired it past Villanova goalie Erin Scott. Fry's goal gave the `Cuse the spark they were looking for, but Villanova held them to a single goal with excellent defensive play from DiLullo and Natalie Balthrop.

The Wildcats next head to College Park, Md. where they face No. 4 Duke. Game time is 1:00 PM on Sunday.