April 30, 2006

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Facing the league's top-seed and reigning champions for the second straight year in the conference tournament, No. 4 seed Villanova (6-15) was defeated 5-2 on Saturday afternoon by No. 1 Wagner in the semifinals of the MAAC Championship. It was Villanova's fourth match this season and second straight against the Seahawks, who have run up a record of 33-2 in regular season conference play since 2001.

In Saturday's matchup, junior defender Taylor Schrang (Bellevue, Wash.) and sophomore driver Carla Martinez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) each scored one goal for the Wildcats, while senior goalie Jess Wells (Newport Beach, Calif.) made six saves. Villanova drew six ejections to Wagner's five and both teams managed 15 shots, but the Seahawks advanced to Sunday's championship game against Marist with the narrow margin of victory.

The Wildcats controlled play against the league's strongest offensive team, holding Wagner to five goals after allowing the Seahawks an average of 10.7 goals per game in their previous three meetings this season.

Villanova will play on Sunday at Noon in the consolation game of the conference tournament against the No. 3 seed, Iona. The Wildcats have split two meetings with the Gaels this season, winning 8-7 and losing 7-6. Last season, Villanova defeated Iona in the semifinals of the conference tournament.

NOTES: On Saturday evening after the conclusion of the two semifinal matches, Villanova senior driver Kim Pare (East Grand Rapids, Mich.) was named the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year at the conference awards banquet ... Pare was also a first team all-conference performer, while Martinez was named to the All-MAAC second team ... Pare has been an All-MAAC selection in each of her four collegiate seasons.