February 18, 1999

Villanova, Pa.---Hosting the No. 13 Princeton Tigers on Wednesday, Feb. 17, in the first match of the 1999 season for the Villanova University women's water polo team, the No. 19 Wildcats dropped a heartbreaker to the visiting Tigers 6-5.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, Villanova got to within one on a goal by junior driver Sharon Fuller. With 3:14 left to go in the first half, the Wildcats tied the score on a goal by sophomore Carrie Boyle. At the 1:17 mark, however, Princeton's Veronica Diaz scored to send the Tigers into intermission with a 3-2 lead.

In the second half, Villanova evened the score at 3-3, as junior Brigitte Bayster scored her first goal of the season. Bayster led the Wildcats with 95 goals in 1998 and received All-Conference first team and All-East second team honors. Having to rally again to tie the game at 4-4 on Bayster's second goal of the contest, Janine Kusza gave Villanova its first lead at 5-4 with 3:46 left in the game. The Tigers (5-1-1) would score the game's final two goals, however, to secure a 6-5 victory.

The Wildcats were led by Bayster, who recorded two goals, one assist and six steals. In goals for Villanova in her first collegiate game, Carly Sproul posted seven saves and added two steals.

The Wildcats will resume play on Feb. 26-28, as they host their first tournament of the young 1999 season.