Aug. 29, 2003

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VILLANOVA, PA. - The No. 22 ranked Villanova women's soccer team opened up the 2003 season on a high note on Friday, Aug. 29th, at the Villanova Soccer Complex, as Patricia Misciagna netted the game's only goal 2:42 into overtime to give the Wildcats a 1-0 win over Lehigh. The `Cats had numerous scoring chances in regulation, hitting the cross bar three times, but it took Misciagna's game-winning score in overtime to give Villanova the victory. The Wildcats improved to 1-0-0 on the year with the win, while the Mountain Hawks fell to 0-1-0.

The `Cats dominated play in the first half out-shooting Lehigh 9-2, but Mountain Hawk goalkeeper Erin Iwaskiewicz saved five first half shots to keep the game scoreless at intermission.

Just over 10 minutes into the second half, it looked as if Villanova would finally find the net. Off a corner kick by Janessa Jeltema, junior forward Laura Johnson wound up and fired a shot at the goal that drilled off the cross bar. The ball came back to Johnson on the rebound, but Johnson's second shot attempt -a header - was saved by Iwaskiewicz to keep the game knotted at 0-0.

The game would go into overtime scoreless, but it did not take long for the Wildcat offense to heat up in the extra session. Just 2:42 into the first overtime, Villanova picked off an attempted clear by Lehigh. Junior forward Regina Villari played to ball to Misciagna, who sent a bouncing ball into the left corner of the net to give the Wildcats the 1-0 win.

Getting the shutout in goal for Villanova was senior Chrissy Dolan - the Big East's Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year - who saved one shot in the game.

Iwaskiewicz took the loss in net for Lehigh, despite saving a game-high six shots.

The Wildcats out-shot Lehigh 17-5 in the contest, posting 13 corner kicks to the Mountain Hawks four.

Villanova will get back into action on Sunday, Aug. 31st, as the Wildcats play host to the Rider Broncs at 1:00 p.m., at the Villanova Soccer Complex.