April 15, 2007

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Senior Christina Bahrs (Oceanport, N.J.) scored five goals and sophomore Taryn McKenna (Dix Hills, N.Y.) added four more to help lift Villanova (5-6) to an 18-5 victory over Howard (2-8) on Sunday afternoon in a game that was played in torrential rain. In fact, the conditions deteriorated to the point where the officials suspended play with 11:40 left in the second period per the 80 percent rule.

Villanova wasted little time gaining control of the contest. The `Cats scored four unanswered goals in the game's first six minutes, including two from freshman Erica Rybinski (Manlius, N.Y.). Howard responded with two goals of its own off the sticks of Sakita Holley and Megan Fitzgerald to narrow the deficit to 4-2 with 20:08 left in the first half. Junior Stevie McFadden (Reiserstown, Md.) gave the Wildcats their fifth goal off an assist from freshman Meredith Kolmer (Berwyn, Pa.) at 18:47 only to see the Bison respond with a score from Holley at 14:32.

Howard would get no closer the rest of the afternoon. Rybinski scored an unassisted goal at 10:27 to begin a surge of six Wildcat goals in the last 11 minutes. Villanova's lead was 12-4 at intermission.

A pair of goals from Taryn McKenna, both on assists from sophomore Taylor Lucy (Ocean View, Del.), pushed the margin to 14-4 at 25:13. Holley scored at 22:14 before Villanova reeled off four more goals to make the final 18-5.

Bahrs ended the day with seven points while Taryn McKenna and Taylor Lucy each were credited with five points. Jessica Brozena (West Long Branch, N.J.) made seven saves in net for the Wildcats to earn the victory.

Next up for the `Cats is a Tuesday evening home date with Long Island University at 6:30 p.m. at Villanova Stadium.