Villanova University

In a tense conference match played under the lights at Yurcak Field, Villanova (10-0-1, 2-0-1 Big East) saw its team-record shutout streak snapped but escaped with its unbeaten streak intact and salvaged a 1-1 tie with Rutgers (7-1-1, 2-0-1) on Sunday evening. A game-tying goal by the Scarlet Knights in the 73rd minute denied the Wildcats from extending their program-record winning streak to 11 games. Villanova, however, did tie a team record by keeping its unbeaten streak going; in 2002 the team had a 9-0-2 stretch midway through the season.

As they have in all 11 games this season, the Wildcats scored first, opening the scoring with a goal from senior Lindsey Finnegan (Blackwood, N.J.) in the 22nd minute. The goal materialized after junior Stacia Hartung (Rochester, N.Y.) intercepted a ball in Villanova territory and dribbled unmarked across the center line and all the way to the top of the box in the attacking third.

Hartung slid the ball to Finnegan, who blasted a high shot that went just under the crossbar and into the back of the net. The goal snapped a scoreless defensive streak of 455:55 by the Scarlet Knights. The Wildcats were held in check the rest of the night, though, as several attack opportunities came and went without a second score.

The game went to overtime after Villanova nearly won the game in the final two minutes of regulation. Hartung drilled a long shot from 40 yards out that hit the crossbar and bounced over the net. Moments later, she took a corner kick that was blasted - but blocked - towards the net by junior Kaley Guthrie (Ogdensburg, N.J.). Guthrie got footing on a second shot but it was saved by her younger sister, Scarlet Knights freshman goalkeeper Erin Guthrie.

Rutgers created several consecutive possessions inside Villanova territory during the second half, and their offensive pressure finally resulted in a goal against the Wildcats at the 72:59 mark. A foul was whistled on Villanova outside the right corner of the box, and Gina DeMaio gave Alicia Hall a perfect pass that was kicked into the left side of the goal. The Wildcats had not allowed a goal in 769:52 since a 2-1 victory over George Washington on August 29.

Junior goalkeeper Jillian Loyden (Vineland, N.J.) made four saves while allowing just her second goal of the season. Loyden extender her shutout streak to 736:24 before the Scarlet Knights goal, which is the 15th-longest such streak in Division I women's soccer history. Erin Guthrie also has four saves for Rutgers.

Villanova plays two more home games next weekend, with a matchup against Connecticut on tap for Friday at 4 p.m. The Wildcats will also face Providence on Sunday at 1 p.m.