On Sunday, Sept. 21, Villanova field hockey hosted No. 1 Northwestern at The Proving Grounds in Conshohocken, PA, for a battle of the Wildcats. Villanova lost to Northwestern, 5-0.

In the first quarter, the Wildcats (1-6, 0-1 Big East) held Northwestern (8-0) to just one goal. Northwestern scored off a penalty corner 2:52 minutes into the game.

The Villanova defense was able to disrupt Northwestern’s rhythm early on, but could not maintain that pressure. Villanova blocked two shots on goal during the first quarter. On the offensive end, Villanova attempted four shots, although all missed.

“We actually got huge compliments from [Northwestern], because they could not generate anything in the first half…because our press was super effective,” head coach Joanie Milhous said. “They’re [a] very skilled, well-coached team, but I thought our first half was really strong defensively.”

In the second quarter, the Wildcats defended four shots, keeping the score 1-0 until 29:04 minutes, when Northwestern managed to score a goal. Northwestern took another shot at 29:56, but it was blocked once again by Villanova’s defense. 

Northwestern held a 2-0 lead at halftime. Despite the score, the Wildcats made several crucial stops to prevent further damage. Villanova continued to struggle offensively, unable to take any shots in the second quarter.

Within the first two minutes of the third, Northwestern took five shots on goal during four back-to-back penalty corners. Freshman goal Sophie Volkel saved two of Northwestern’s scoring attempts.At 32:30, Northwestern put in its third goal of the day. The visiting Wildcats also managed five more shots before scoring again at 36:38, increasing their lead to 4-0.

Around 39 minutes in, junior Maddi Sears subbed in for Volkel and saved another goal. She was assisted by Villanova’s defense, which blocked two more goals. 

“Sophie [Volkel] really had some strong saves for us, and it got to a point where we didn’t want her to lose her confidence,” Milhous said. “And we also recognize that Maddi has been playing really strong as well, so [we] wanted to give her an opportunity, and she stepped up and played just as strong.”

Villanova was able to attempt one shot in the third quarter, but it was saved by Northwestern’s goalkeeper.

Early in the fourth quarter, Northwestern scored again for its last goal of the game. Villanova kept Northwestern’s lead to 5-0 for the remainder of play, blocking two more shots on goal.

Despite the disappointing score, Milhous said Sunday’s game was a valuable challenge for Villanova against the top field hockey program in the country.

“Our schedule is deliberately strong…this team does believe in itself,” Milhous said. “Instead of getting negative, these girls are doing a really good job of remaining positive because they do know the potential that we have. So we’re not discouraged, because we are playing some really strong teams, which is making us that much better going into other Big East opponents.”

Villanova now prepares for a short road trip to Philadelphia, PA, for a Big East game against Temple on Friday, Sept. 26 (1 p.m.) The Wildcats are 8-19 all-time against the Owls. Villanova won last year’s meeting, 3-0.