Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/23/25 – From Press Release
The host Villanova women’s lacrosse team opened its Big East season Saturday by downing UConn, 11-7.
Elena Torres racked up four goals, to lead the ‘Cats (7-3) to victory. Sophia Corretjer tallied three goals, grabbing a hat trick. Emma Verhoest had seven draw controls. In goal, Cate Gallagher had a total of 12 saves, including keeping the Huskies out of the net for the entire second quarter.
On defense, three Wildcats had two caused turnovers, Amelia Ricciuti, Sydney Pappas and Leslie Iorio. Also, Rose Christie had two groundballs, a caused turnover and a draw control, Bella Piselli (Episcopal Academy) scooped three groundballs, Madison Freeman (Springside Chestnut Hill) scored once and added a groundball, and Juliet Walls (Haddonfield) had a caused turnover and a groundball.
In the first quarter, Torres was the first Wildcat score, with her free position goal. UConn scored two goals in a row before Sami Carey answered back, Pappas then earned a free position goal and found the back of the net to tie the score 3-3.
To start the second quarter momentum, Torres had another free position goal, helping the ‘Cats get their first lead of the game, a lead that was held until the very end At 7:01 Torres netted her third goal of the game. Corretjer was then able to steal her first goal, before Torres finds the back of the net one more time with 23 seconds left, making the score 7-3 at the end of the first half.
Freeman shot the ball with UConn saving it, but she recovered the rebound and ripped the ball to the back of the net putting Villanova up 8-3 at the start of the third quarter. The Huskies were able to score, ending the ‘Cats seven goal run. Pappas was able to find the back of the net one last time will 11 second left in the quarter.
UConn – which got a goal and a groundball from freshman Lucia Smigiel (Germantown Academy) – was the first to score in the fourth. Corretjer then scored back to back goals at 10:42 with the Huskies finishing the game with two more goals.
