Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/19/23
From Press Releases
Graduate student Caroline Curnal scored five goals and had eight draw controls and scored the game-winner with 8 seconds to play today as host Villanova defeated St. Joseph’s, 14-13, to remain unbeaten.
Sydney Pappas added four goals for the Wildcats (2-0). The Hawks fell to 0-3.
Villanova started the game off strong with two back-to-back goals from Curnal. The score remained 2-0 for seven minutes until Sarah Groark (Episcopal Academy) and Maddie Yoder (Springfield-Montco, 3G) responded with a goal each, making the score 2-2 with eight minutes left in the first half. Villanova’s Sami Carey scored an unassisted goal to put the Cats back on top at 3-2.
Pappas quickly charged back down the field and scored two of her four goals for Villanova, the first one being assisted by Elena Torres and the second by Sami Carey. The Cats took the lead at the end of the first quarter 5-2.
Saint Joe’s came out hot in the second quarter with Riley Evans (5G) and Yoder adding two points to the scoreboard, making it 5-4. Torres, who had a phenomenal career debut last week versus William & Mary, responded by scoring an unassisted goal. Two minutes later Evans attacked the defensive line and scored two goals less than a minute apart. Pappas retaliated with an unassisted goal to take us into the second half at 7-6.
Evans refused to be stopped when she came out in the third quarter with her fourth goal of the game. Thirty seconds later, Yoder scored and put the Hawks in the lead for the first time all game at 8-7. Responding to this lead, Villanova went on a five goal spree with goals from Pappas, Carey, Curnal, Maddie Luer, and Torres. To finish out the third quarter, Bella Miceli and Evans scored a goal a piece to make the score 12-10 going into the final quarter.
Curnal scored her fourth goal about five minutes into the fourth quarter, and luckily, it was not her last. This was quickly counteracted by the Hawks when they tied the game once again with goals coming from Maggie Davidson, Bonnie Yu, and Emma O’Neill. With just eight seconds left on the clock and overtime on the horizon, Curnal fought her way through and pushed one passed the keeper to win the game for the Wildcats.
“Tonight’s win feels great!” said ‘Nova coach Jill Batcheller (Archbishop Carroll). “I’m so happy for this team to come up with the team win.
“Our team backed each other up at the right times, played poised at key moments, and found a way to win against a talented and gritty Saint Joseph’s team!”
Defender Juliet Walls (Haddonfield) had two draw controls and a groundballs for the Wildcats.
Villanova takes on La Salle University Wednesday, February 22nd, at 1:00 PM at home.
Men’s
Yale 20, Villanova 14
In a high-scoring shootout that featured a combined eight players who scored multiple goals, visiting Yale (1-0) rallied from a first half deficit to defeat Villanova (1-1) at Villanova Stadium. Junior attackman Matt Licata continued his strong start to the season as he and fifth year Patrick Daly paced the Wildcats with three goals apiece.
Immaculata 14, SUNY-Delhi 6
Immaculata was led by Bailey Manion (New Egypt, NJ) with four goals and seven points David Azzarano (Radnor), Anthony Inserra (Ocean City, NJ) and Joseph Biuso each scored two goals and Connor Teears (Father Judge) had one goal and four assists. Azzarano had six ground balls. Matthew Kirkland (St. Augustine Prep, NJ) was outstanding in goal making 22 saves.