Villanova University

Oct. 27, 2009

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova Wildcats (9-7, 2-3 BIG EAST) put together a decisive 7-1 victory over the Saint Joseph's Hawks (6-9, 3-1) on Senior Day as four Wildcats celebrated their final home game in Villanova Stadium. Seniors Meredith Rull, Steffi Caniglia, Maura McCormick and Emily Donaldson were honored before the matchup for their contributions to the field hockey team during the course of their four-year careers with Villanova. The win also marked a four goal and one assist effort by junior forward Meredith Sabatini (Haddonfield, N.J.).

The Wildcats came out ready to fight in the first half and got on the board early and often. Just 2:10 into the game, Sabatini recorded her first goal of the game off an Emily Donaldson (Glassboro, N.J.) pass that turned into a breakaway goal, beating St. Joseph goalie Kelly Swanick. A little more than a minute later, freshman Amy Jackson (Columbia, Pa.) put one into the cage from the post position off the initial shot of junior Dana Ramsden (Woolwich Township, N.J.). The goals would put the Wildcats up 2-0 after just 3:40 of play.

At the 15 minute mark, Sabatini netted her second goal of the game with a shot to the far post. Three minutes later, the Hawks would score their only goal of the game when Jen Wrublesky scored off an Anne Schreuders pass off a penalty corner opportunity.

To end the first half of play, Sabatini and Donaldson reconnected for another breakaway goal to put the Wildcats up 4-1 going into halftime.

The Wildcats would score three more times in the second half at the 45th, 52nd and 58th minute marks. Sabatini recorded her fourth and final goal off a pass from fellow classmate Abby Sordoni (Shavertown, Pa.), while seven minutes later the pair would trade places for a Sordoni goal and Sabatini assist. Junior forward Sam Haas (Warrington, Pa.) would round out the seventh and final goal for the Wildcats when she took a long-range shot just inside the circle, beating Hawk goalie Liz Messaros. Junior Lauren Wuzzardo (Bridgeton, N.J.) would be credited with the assist.

St. Joseph's held the slim advantage in shots by a 17-16 margin while the Wildcats had the edge in penalty corners, 7-6. Hawk goalies Kelly Swanick and Liz Messaros combined for a total of three saves on the day while Villanova keeper Maura McCormick (Forty Fort, Pa.) notched eight saves in the evening contest.

The Wildcats will play their final game of the 2009 season when they travel to Storrs, Conn. to take on fellow BIG EAST member UConn on Saturday, Oct. 31st. Game time is scheduled for noon.