March 15, 2006

VILLANOVA, Pa. - In its home opener on Wednesday evening, Villanova (0-6) drew nine ejections and totaled 25 shots, but George Washington (5-8) scored three times in the final quarter to pull away to a 9-6 win at the Villanova Swim Center.

Senior driver Kim Pare (Grand Rapids, Mich.) scored three goals and had two assists to lead the Wildcats. Villanova got on the board first midway through the first period and the score was tied 1-1 at the conclusion of the opening seven minutes.

The Wildcats were unable to regain the lead after that, however, as the Colonials scored three goals in the second quarter to go into halftime with a slim 4-3 advantage. Villanova tied the game at 4-4 early in the third period, and again knotted the score at 5-5 late in the quarter.

A late George Washington goal gave the Colonials back the lead heading into the final period, and the Wildcats trailed 8-5 before tallying their last goal of the game. George Washington tacked on its final score in the closing seconds of the match.

Senior goalie Jess Wells (Newport Beach, Calif.) had seven saves and Pare drew seven ejections, but Villanova could not capitalize on those opportunities, going 2-for-9 in man-up situations. Sophomore driver Carla Martinez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) had two goals and two assists, while junior defender Taylor Schrang (Bellevue, Wash.) added the other Wildcat goal.

Villanova's next match will also be against George Washington, as the teams will meet next Wednesday at the Colonials' Charles E. Smith Center in Washington, D.C.