Oct. 19, 2005

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The No. 17 Wildcats (13-4, 3-1 Big East) shutout the Saint Joseph's Hawks (9-7) Wednesday night, 2-0, at Villanova Stadium. Rory Roger (Rosemont, Pa./Sacred Heart Academy) had the `Cats' two goals while Megan Foster (Berlin, N.J./Bishop Eustace) assisted on both.

The Wildcats got on the board in the 20th minute when Rogers fired the ball towards the cage. Hawk keeper, Rebecca Cunfer, got a piece of it but deflected the shot back into the net making the score 1-0.

With both teams threatening, Foster found a hole and dribbled the ball into the circle but was tripped up and forced to slide it to Rogers in the middle who froze Cunfer. This would prove to be the final goal of the game as both teams stepped up their defense the remainder of the game.

The second half was evenly played as both team had opportunities to score. St. Joe's looked like it would score midway through the half as Nicole Antonini was able to draw Alex Whalen (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) out of the goal, but Natalie Balthrop (Chicago, Ill./Lake Forest) saw the open net and stepped in to knock the ball away for the defensive save.

Whalen gained the win for the Wildcats with five saves and her second shutout of the season, while Cunfer took the loss with seven saves. The `Cats had 12 shots to St. Joe's nine, but the Hawks held the advantage in penalty corners, 8-7.

Villanova returns to its home turf for the final game of the regular season this Sunday at 1 p.m. against Providence (5-11, 1-2 Big East). This is a crucial game which will not only decide seeding for the Big East Tournament, but it is also the seniors' final home contest. There will be a pre-game ceremony held to honor their accomplishments.