Villanova women’s lacrosse is currently 2-2 on the season after suffering a 15-12 loss to Rutgers. Despite a strong run in the final minutes, the ‘Cats were unable to complete the comeback against the Scarlet Knights (3-1).
Redshirt sophomore midfielder Mary Moore led with five points, four on goals and one assist. Junior attacker Jillian Vaught recorded a hat trick. Freshman goalie Allie Bell made her first appearance in goal and made four saves.
Rutgers opened the game with three unanswered goals before Vaught found the back of the net. Following her goal, the Scarlet Knights added two more to make the score 5-1 to end the first period.
Villanova managed a 3-0 run with goals from redshirt junior attacker Elena Torres, Moore and sophomore midfielder Madison Freeman. However, they struggled to close the deficit and ended the half down, 10-4.
The ‘Cats came within two goals after a 3-0 run with just about two minutes remaining in the game, but it was not enough to complete the comeback. The final score was 15-12.
Villanova will now go on a three game road trip. On Saturday, Feb. 27 they will head to Binghamton to take on the Bearcats. Following that, they will face Siena College and the University of Vermont.
Villanova faced Binghamton (2-2) last year at home and had a decisive 20-4 win over the Bearcats. Vaught added four goals, while junior midfielder Rose Christie and sophomore midfielder Leslie Iorio both added two.
The Wildcats will then take on Siena College in Loudonville, NY on Wednesday, Mar. 4. Villanova has not faced Siena since 2019, when they won 12-7 over the Saints. This will be the two teams third matchup of all time, their first one being in 2002. Villanova has the upper hand on the all-time record, 2-0.
Two days later, the ‘Cats will then travel to Burlington, VT to take on Vermont. They have only played once before, with Villanova winning, 11-9, in March 2024. Moore had the team-high goals that day with four.
Its next game at home will be on March 17 against Stony Brook University (2-0).
Last season, the ‘Cats fell to Stony Brook, 5-12, at Villanova Stadium. Torres and Vaught contributed one goal each. The Seawolves are currently ranked No.18 in the nation according to the IWCLA weekly poll. They will be the second ranked opponent Villanova faces this season.
“That’s the good thing about being able to have played them [Stony Brook] last year,” head coach Jill Batcheller said. “We have an idea of what we need to do and what changes that we need to make. Ultimately, I think it’s just playing a little bit faster and being able to convert on more of our offensive possessions.”
Redshirt sophomore Mary Moore earned Big East Midfielder of the Week after tallying five goals and two assists across two games. Moore is currently tied for third on the team in total points with eight. Torres was also named to the conference’s weekly honor roll. The Tustin, CA native scored six goals in two games, four of which were against Rutgers.
Torres currently leads the team in points. She has tallied a total of 13, with nine goals and four assists. Christie follows behind with 11 points, made up of three goals and eight assists.
The ‘Cats will be looking to get back in the win column coming off the home loss to Rutgers, and be well prepared for their return to Villanova in March against the Seawolves.
