Villanova University

Aug. 24, 2012

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Despite taking an early lead off a Heidi Sabatura (Lawrenceville, N.J.) score two minutes into the match, the Wildcats (1-1-1) couldn't hold on for the victory as they fell to Drexel (2-1) 2-1 in a double-overtime heartbreaker at West Campus Soccer Complex on Friday afternoon.

Drexel's Gabby Dixon finished a low ball to the corner off a cross from Jess Sarkisian to solidify the win for the Dragons with just 2:09 remaining in the second overtime period. With the victory, the Dragons improve to 2-1 overall after posting the win in the first-ever matchup between the two Philadelphia-area rivals.

Senior goalkeeper Kelsey Quinn (Mt. Airy, Md.) collected a career-high 10 saves as the Wildcats slid to 1-1-1 on the season after playing their second double-overtime affair in as many games. Villanova previously took No. 13 Maryland to a 0-0 tie less than a week ago in a great defensive effort at West Campus Soccer Complex.

The Wildcats made quick work of the Dragons to begin the contest, netting the first score just two minutes into the match off a beautiful corner by freshman Hayley Wilson (Leonardstown, Md.), finding Sabatura on a header in a scramble in front of the net. The remainder of the half proved to be an evenly-fought battle, with Villanova gaining two corner opportunities to Drexel's one and the Dragons leading the Wildcats 2-1 in shots.

Villanova came out hungry to begin the second half and recorded several early opportunities with Wilson and classmate Emily Damstrom (Martinsville, N.J.) just missing the net off wide left and blocked shots within the first four minutes of play. Drexel found themselves on the offensive in the following 15 minutes but met resistance from Villanova's Quinn who made two incredible saves at the 56:37 and 57:20 marks by punching would-be goals over the crossbar and out of harm's way.

The Dragons found their stride when Jess Lowinger posted the game-tying goal with 16 minutes left in the half after picking up a quick rebound in front of Villanova's goal line from a corner kick opportunity. The remainder of the half saw a 4-4 deadlock in shots with the Dragons taking a 1-0 advantage over VU in corners. Entering the first 10 minutes of overtime, the offensive momentum favored Drexel with a 4-1 shot advantage with three close calls after hitting the post and VU's Quinn making saves off of two close-range blasts.

Luck would be on the side of the Dragons for the second 10 minutes of overtime, as Dixon claimed the game-winner in the 107th minute after finishing a cross into the box with a strike to the low far post.

Drexel would lead VU in shots (17-9) and corners (5-3) for the contest as Villanova saw looks from Reanna Marino (South Huntingdon, N.Y.), Victoria Gersh (Silver Spring, Md.), Stephanie Myers (Frisco, Texas), Kathryn Rayner (Needham, Mass.), Sabatura, Wilson and Damstrom.

Drexel goalkeeper Eve Badana posted four stops in the victory.

The Wildcats will return to action just two days from now as they look to rebound against St. Joseph's on Sunday, August 26th. Game time is slated for Noon in Philadelphia, Pa.