Villanova (6-7 overall, 2-2 Big East) defeated Xavier (3-10, 0-4), 18–8, on Senior Day. The matchup took place at Villanova Stadium on Saturday, April 13.
Before the game, the Wildcats celebrated nine seniors, along with attacker Cara Moreau, who is finishing up her fifth year of play at Villanova.
“We’re really going to miss the impact that [the seniors] had on the program, but we were so happy to be able to celebrate them and have them on the field so much today,” head coach Jill Batcheller said.
In the previous meeting of Villanova and Xavier, the Wildcats won, 21–9, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Although the ‘Cats had a smaller margin of victory this time around, Villanova remains in fourth place in the Big East conference. Xavier sits in last and has lost every conference game thus far, with only two weeks left in the regular season.
“We’re planning on finishing out the season sticking to our core values: faith, family, fight and fast,” Batcheller said. “That has been our goal since day one.”
Freshman attacker Emma Verhoest won the initial draw control. Verhoest went on to win 15 more draw controls throughout the matchup. Freshman defender Cailin Harrington was able to receive three draw controls, as well for the ‘Cats.
After scoring four goals in the first period, the Wildcats managed to score eight against the Musketeers in the second period alone. The game’s high scorer was junior attacker Sami Carey, who scored four, including three consecutive goals in the span of four minutes.
Next on the scoreboard was freshman midfielder Rose Christie, who had three unassisted goals on Saturday.
Two Wildcats scored free position goals from freshman attacker Sophia Corretjer and sophomore midfielder Ashlyn Hickey. Both went on to score another unassisted goal during the game. Moreau had four points in the game, between two goals and two assists. Junior attacker Sydney Pappas was held to only two goals against the Musketeers due to a face mask penalty that was called early on.
“The number of goal-scorers that we have allowed for everyone to pick up the slack and take any opportunities they could get,” Batcheller said.
Xavier’s highest scorer, sophomore attacker Lola Mancuso, netted four goals. Two of the goals by Mancuso were free position shots. However, the Musketeers fell into foul and penalty trouble throughout the game. Xavier had six green cards, two of which were called on junior midfielder Julie Cassidy. The team also had four players receive yellow cards.
The starting Villanova goalkeeper was freshman Mackenzie Fisher, who stayed on the field for most of the game. With four saves, Fisher only allowed four goals against the Musketeers. After nearly 50 minutes of play, Fisher was subbed in by junior Kate Montalto with 11:22 left in the final period. Fisher had two saves and allowed four Xavier goals.
Christie scored the first goal of the second half, putting the Wildcats up by 10. The women’s lacrosse rulebook allows for the clock to keep running when a team is ahead by 10. For the remainder of the game, the time only stopped for time outs and penalties.
In total, Villanova took 34 shots compared to Xavier’s 17. The Wildcats also overpowered the Musketeers in draw controls, winning nearly 67%.
Villanova only has two more conference games left before the Big East Tournament commences. Next Saturday, April 20, the Wildcats play No. 12 University of Denver in the last home game of the season at 1 p.m.
“[Denver is] a very fast and dynamic team, but I think we’re really ready for the challenge,” Batcheller said.
