Sept. 19, 1999

Villanova, Pa. --- The Villanova University men's soccer team hosted Big East foe Boston College today in a battle of two teams searching for their first conference win of the season. The visiting Eagles came out as the victors in this one as they dropped the Wildcats 2-0. With the loss, Villanova falls to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the Big East this season.

Both teams appeared to be a little tentative in the beginning of the game, but that soon changed when junior Joe Noonan (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum) took a pass from senior forward Donovan Hornsby (Pietermaritzberg, South Africa/S.C. Spartanburg) that was threaded between the Boston College defenders and onto Noonan's foot. Noonan took a quality shot, but Boston College's goalie, Chris Hamblin, made the save.

The contest's next good scoring chance again came from the home team. Hornsby was on the money with another pass, this time to senior forward Dave Francalangia (Berlin, Conn./Berlin). Franco's attempt, however, just missed wide left.

Villanova clearly had the upperhand for the game's first 30 minutes, but it was Boston College that scored first. At 34:25 of the game, the Eagles' Zach Bouchard launched a shot from the top of the box that deflected off of senior goalkeeper Matt Malek's (Dearborn Heights, Mich./Detroit Jesuit) fingertips and into the goal. Seven minutes later, B.C. notched their second score, upping the lead to 2-0. The game remained 2-0 at the half.

Senior midfielder Conor Porter (Donegal, Ireland/Raphoe) had Villanova's best scoring chance of the second half when he headed the ball towards the net for what appeared to be a certain score. B.C., however, made the save to thwart the Wildcats one last time. Villanova took twice as many shots on goal than did their opponent, but each attempt came up empty.

The Wildcats next game will be at home against Providence College on Monday, September 20, at 3:00 p.m.

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