March 20, 2001

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Junior Cecily Pierce (New Canaan, Conn.) scored four goals but that wasn't enough for the Villanova Wildcats to stave off the University of Pennsylvania Quakers on Tuesday afternoon. The Quakers scored five overtime goals to defeat the Wildcats (1-4-0 overall, 0-1-0 Patriot League) 11-6.

Penn nurtured a 1-0 lead for much of the first half before sophomore Jackie Higgins got the 'Cats on the scoreboard at the 3:45 mark of the first half. A pair of Kate Murray goals for Pennsylvania were sandwiched around a score from VU's Pierce with less than a minute to go in the first half to give the Quakers a 3-2 edge at the break.

A Pierce goal at the 24:28 mark of the second half tied the contest at three. Senior Julie Feddeman gave the 'Cats a 4-3 edge before Penn tied it at four. Pierce pushed VU into a 5-4 lead before a pair of goals from Jayme Munnelly gave the Quakers a 6-5 lead with just under two minutes remaining in regulation. But a fierce rallied was capped when Pierce fired a shot past goalie Alaina Harper with 39 seconds remaining in regulation to even things at six.

However, the Wildcats were unable to sustain the momentum in overtime as Penn got two quick goals from Murray and a pair from Traci Marabella to lift them to the win.

Freshman goalkeeper Brandy Grenier made 11 saves in net for the Wildcats, who were outshot 32-15 on the day.

Villanova returns to action this weekend when it travels to New England for games against Holy Cross (Saturday) and Boston College (Sunday).