Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/16/19 From Press Release
The Villanova Wildcats have never defeated a No. 1 ranked team in program history, until today. It took until overtime to secure the win, but Connor Kirst netted the game winner to give the ‘Cats an 11-10 win at Yale.
The defending national champions and the Wildcats found themselves in the same situation last season when these two teams met in Frisco, Texas. It was Danny Seibel who netted the game winner to give Villanova the victory a season ago. Today Kirst was the overtime hero.
Dan Fisher (St. Joseph’s Prep) TD Irelan took the faceoff in overtime and Kirst was able to push his way to get the ground ball. Coach Mike Corrado called timeout to talk things over with his team. Colin Crowley got a shot off that went wide, Kirst had a blocked shot, but Matt Campbell was able to pick up the ground ball. Keegan Khan took a shot wide before Kirst was able to fight his way in and make the angled jump shot find the back of the net.
At halftime the teams were tied at five thanks for three straight goals to close out the second quarter by the Wildcats. Khan netted two goals in the first half while Joey Froccaro, Campbell, and Crowley netted the others.
Froccaro would go on to net the first goals of the third and fourth quarter to complete the hat trick. Khan also netted one in the third to do the same. Villanova pulled ahead as much as three on two different times in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs would score three at the end of the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Nick Testa picked the up the win in goal and had 11 saves, with four of those coming in the fourth quarter. Fisher won seven faceoffs, while SSDM TJ Comizio collected a team high five ground balls and caused two turnovers. The starting defensive line for the Wildcats combined to caused five turnovers and collect nine ground balls.
With the win also come Coach Corrado’s 100th career victory. In his 13 seasons at Villanova he has led the team to three NCAA Tournament appearance, earned Coach of the Year on three different occasions, and coached eight All-Americans.
Villanova will play their home opener next Saturday, February 23rd against the Hofstra Pride. Game time is set for 12:00 P.M. and can be seen on Nova Nation All-Access.
