On Saturday, Oct. 25, Villanova fell to Providence, 2-1, after a goal in the 83rd minute.
Villanova (9-8, 4-5 Big East) hosted Providence for its “Pink Out” game in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Wildcats sported pink uniforms, and the bleachers were filled with fans in pink gear.
“It’s an incredible cause to be playing for today,” head coach Samar Azem said. “So many individuals are affected in so many ways by breast cancer. To be representing the individuals and their families in this game as well as bringing awareness to the resources that are needed is an honor.”
Despite eight shots on goal, the Wildcats were unable to hold off the Friars. The Wildcats needed a win over Providence (6-3-6, 3-2-4) to maintain a spot in the four-team Big East tournament field.
Providence’s game-winner came just two minutes after Villanova sophomore forward Dez Zapata scored the equalizer in the 81st minute.
All three goals were scored in the opening and closing 10 minutes of the game.
In the ninth minute of the game, Providence got on the score sheet first. Villanova looked for an equalizer, but was unable to put any attacks in the final third behind the net, allowing the Friars to maintain their 1-0 lead through the end of the first half.
“Finishing crosses in the final third is a big part of our identity, and today we didn’t do a great job of delivering those crosses and having conviction in the box,” Azem said. “The first half was unlike us completely, and it was disappointing.”
Following the start of the second half, the Wildcats were quick to apply pressure in the final third. In the 47th minute, the Wildcats were awarded a free kick just outside Providence’s 18-yard box.
Junior midfielder Gabby Koluch and graduate midfielder Kate Dobsch stepped up to the ball. It was nearly the same place on the field where Koluch scored an ESPN Top-10 worthy goal on Villanova’s senior night in September. However, Koluch’s shot to the bottom left of the goal was saved by Providence goalkeeper Ellie Thallman.
Villanova maintained offensive pressure well through the rest of the second half.
In the 60th minute, an error from Providence’s defense gave Villanova a breakaway. The Wildcats were unable to score in that situation and couldn’t capitalize on additional goal-scoring chances off of crosses from out wide into the box.
In the 70th minute, the Wildcats drew a foul near the endline and the edge of the right side of the 18-yard box. Both teams scrambled to get a touch on the ball until it was sent out to the left sideline and crossed back in. Zapata placed a strong header to the left side of the goal, but was denied by Thallman.
Switching the point of attack in the 81st minute, sophomore forward Morgan Kotch weaved the ball in and out of traffic and passed to Zapata between the Providence center backs. Zapata drilled a shot to the bottom right corner of the goal, finding the equalizer.
Fans’ cheers erupted through the stands, but the excitement of Villanova’s equalizer was short-lived.
Just two minutes later, Providence found a gap in the Wildcat defense and scored the game-winning goal.
“We played with emotion,” Azem said. “After our goal, we lost three balls in a row trying to do too much. They capitalized on that momentum and transitioned on us when we were too dropped off.”
With the loss, Villanova is now in competition with Creighton for fourth place in the Big East standing. This season, only the top four teams make the tournament. Previously it was the top six teams. With a tie against Butler on Saturday night, Creighton is fourth, and Villanova is fifth.
Villanova will need to win its next game, against Butler, and hope Creighton loses to St. John’s University to secure its first Big East Tournament appearance since 2019.
“We’re going to have to take care of the details in the next game,” Azem said. “We did not do that today. So, we’re going to have to do a better job with how we want to keep the ball and the details that go into that.”
On Nov. 1., Villanova will host Butler University at 3 p.m. in its final game of the regular season.
