MLAX: ‘Nova makes it a Senior Day to remember with rout

Tony Lovisa

The seniors of the men’s lacrosse team played a memorable final home game this past weekend. The Wildcats (7-6, 2-3 CAA) hosted the Robert Morris Colonials (3-8, 0-5 CAA) in a game with that was littered with goals. The two teams combined for a total of 21 goals, with the Wildcats outscoring the Colonials 16-5. The Villanova seniors dominated the stat sheet, combining to score 11 of the 16 ‘Nova goals.

The Wildcats controlled the game from the beginning. In the opening period of play, the Wildcats scored five goals to the Colonials’ one and held a 15-2 shot advantage. Junior Tim Atkins began the scoring for Villanova with a goal less than five minutes into the game. After the Colonials pulled even with a goal of their own, senior Eric Heidenberger scored off an assist from junior Chris MacDonald to put the Wildcats back on top. Senior Eric Webber followed with back-to-back goals in a two-minute span. MacDonald scored an unassisted goal with 1:30 left to close out the first period.

The second period opened with back-to-back goals by the Colonials, who tried to ignite a comeback. However, the Wildcat defense, which successfully defended four Colonial man-up opportunities, shut down the Colonial attack. At the same time, Villanova’s offense kept powering through the defense to score goals. Senior Andy German netted two goals, and Heidenberger and Webber netted a goal apiece.

The Wildcats’ offense was quiet in the third period, netting only two goals sandwiched between two Robert Morris goals. First, senior Mike Haas scored off an assist from Atkins. Then less than a minute and a half later, Webber scored his fourth of a game-high five goals.

In the final period, the offensive production returned for the Wildcats as they scored five unanswered goals. Atkins and Heidenberger each capitalized on man-up advantages. Junior substitute Jay Foley added a goal, and Webber scored his fifth goal. Freshman substitute Paul Webber closed out the game by scoring unassisted.

The Wildcats close out their season on Saturday when they travel to Fairfield, Conn. to play the Sacred Heart Pioneers in the 2007 finale.