The Sacred Heart Pioneers (3-5, 1-1 CAA) defeated No. 19 Villanova (6-2, 1-1 CAA) by a score of 8-7 in a five-overtime thriller.

Sophomore Jon Flood scored the game winning goal for Sacred Heart with just six seconds left in the fifth overtime.

Down 3-1 early, Villanova scored five in a row and marched out to a 6-3 advantage with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Two of the goals came off the stick of Villanova junior Paul Webber who leads the Wildcats with 21 points.

However, the Wildcats could not hold onto their lead and gave up four straight goals, allowing Sacred Heart to grab the lead.

The Pioneers seemed to have the game wrapped up in the final minute of the fourth quarter until Villanova’s Tim Driscoll intercepted a clearing attempt by Sacred Heart’s goaltender Zack Frank. Frank had just made a frenzy of saves before he made an ill-advised pass that was picked off. Driscoll sped up the field and sent it home with 22 seconds remaining which ultimately forced overtime.

It took five overtimes before the game could be settled. Villanova put the pressure on in the extra play, outshooting the Pioneers 17-8.

The Pioneers capitalized on one of their only sparse overtime possessions. Timmy Katz fed Flood who was cutting towards the net. As he was falling down, Flood muscled out a shot and netted the game winner. The victory was Sacred Heart’s first conference win and marked Villanova’s first conference defeat.

The Wildcats were defeated despite out-shooting Sacred Heart 56-35 and controlling possession in the extra sessions. The goal posts were not kind to the ‘Cats, who had three shots hit the post in overtime.