Villanova University

April 26, 2004

LEWISBURG, PA. - The Villanova women's water polo program appears headed in the right direction after a successful weekend at the Eastern Championships in Lewisburg, Pa. this past weekend. The Wildcats finished ninth in their first tournament appearance under Paige Cull, and the showing is the best in four years for VU.

At the Collegiate Water Polo Association's annual banquet on Friday night, the 'Cats got more good news when sophomore driver Kim Pare was named to the All-CWPA Southern Division First Team, while junior utility Ellen Howe was selected to the second team.

'Nova opened the weekend in the pool by falling to Princeton for the fourth time this season, 12-4. The Wildcats were 0-for-8 on 6-on-5 chances in the game, and the contest turned in the third quarter, when the Tigers scored five unanswered goals. Freshman Taylor Schrang provided a few highlights in the loss, recording three steals off the bench.

The Wildcats rebounded from their tournament opening loss with a pair of wins over MAAC rivals, the first of which came in dramatic fashion on Saturday against Wagner. Howe had a penalty shot blocked by the Wagner goalie, leading to a timeout. But immediately after, Villanova picked up a steal, and Jenny Rosick fired a pass to Howe near the goal. She put in the game-winner with about 30 seconds left on the clock for an 8-7 win.

It marks the first time Villanova has ever beaten Wagner, and the Wildcats came back with another historic win, their first ever over Iona on Sunday. Unlike against Wagner when the 'Cats had to come back from a halftime deficit, 'Nova never trailed in the 9-4 victory. Rosick was 2-for-2 shooting and dished out three assists, while Pare capped a seven-goal weekend with four scores. Howe added two goals to give her seven as well.

Sophomore Jess Wells picked up all three victories in the cage, totaling 28 saves for the tournament.

Villanova, now 11-17 on the year, will wind down the 2004 campaign on Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2. The Wildcats will travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and Marist College for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships, which begin with a 4:00 p.m. game on Saturday against Iona.