Oct. 13, 2006

Box Score

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Playing on the road Friday night against one of the nation's highly-ranked teams, No. 23 Villanova (13-1-2, 5-1-2 Big East) generated several strong offensive opportunities but ultimately was defeated 1-0 in double overtime by No. 7 West Virginia (12-1-2, 6-1-1) at Dick Dlesk Stadium. The loss ended the Wildcats program-record 15-game unbeaten streak.

"We showed tonight against a highly-ranked team that even without one starter we can play with anyone in the country," head coach Ann Clifton said. "It was a well-played defensive game but we had good offensive opportunities. I think we showed that we are right there with the best teams in the country."

Kelsey Fowler got off a sliding shot on a scramble in front of the net in the 107th minute and scored her second goal of the season. It was the only tally of a game which featured a combined 33 shots from the two teams.

Villanova accumulated 14 shots for the evening, including eight in the first half, when both teams had their best scoring chances. In the 17th minute, a pass to freshman Erin Byrnes (Sayville, N.Y.) created a breakaway chance for the Wildcats, and Byrnes ran into the box with a one-on-one opportunity against Mountaineer goalkeeper Lana Bannerman. Byrnes shot, however, played into Bannerman's hands and Villanova was held off the scoreboard.

In the opening minutes of the game, West Virginia had a point-blank shot in the 4th minute when Cathy Abel had a chance to score. However, junior goalkeeper Jillian Loyden (Vineland, N.J.) made a highlight-reel save on the play, one of six stops that she had on the evening.

Before the Mountaineers netted the game-winning goal, the Wildcats nearly had a chance to end the game themselves two minutes into the second overtime period. West Virginia was whistled for a foul just a few feet beyond the box, giving Villanova an indirect free kick within the offensive third. Junior Nikki Mabery (Phoenix, Ariz.) wound up with a header shot on the play, but her attempt went left of the net.

The high-powered Mountaineers offense was held at bay for much of the game, as the Wildcats back four defenders and midfielders repeatedly created possessions for Villanova throughout the contest. The Wildcats had three shots in the second period and then totaled another three shots in the two overtime periods. Bannerman finished with three saves for West Virginia.

In the first overtime the Mountaineers had an offensive opportunity in the 96th minute when leading scorer Deana Everett had the ball and space along the back line just to the right of the net. However, sophomore defender Laura Sylvester (Broomall, Pa.) blocked Everett's attempt to play the ball and cleared the ball out of Villanova territory.

The Wildcats remained within two points of first-place Notre Dame in the BIG EAST National Division. The Fighting Irish played to a scoreless tie against Connecticut on Friday evening. Villanova is 5-1-2 with 17 points in conference play. Notre Dame (6-0-1) has 19 points and is tied with Rutgers (6-1-1).

Villanova continues its road trip with a 1 p.m. game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

NOTES: The Wildcats wound up doing four games better than their previous longest unbeaten streak, which was 11 games during the 2002 season ... The furthest into the season Villanova has gone with just one loss also came that season, as the Wildcats were 14-1-4 at the end of the regular season ... The series between Villanova and West Virginia has been eerily even since beginning in 1996 ... With today's victory the Mountaineers hold a 5-4-4 edge in the series ... Villanova has 11 goals and West Virginia 12 in the 13 games played ... Even with the loss, the Wildcats still have allowed just three goals all season long and own a 27-3 scoring margin ... Loyden owns a 0.18 goals-against average and .959 save percentage for the season.