Oct. 13, 2001

Villanova, Pa. - Sophomore midfielder Colin Raws (Haverford, Pa.) scored two goals and assisted on another in the second half to lift the Villanova Wildcats to a 3-1 victory over Providence on a warm fall afternoon here.

Both teams produced several quality scoring chances in the first half but both goalkeepers were outstanding. Providence's Michael Gruelich made five saves in the half while Villanova keeper Sean Teesdale (Blue Bell, Pa.) came up with four.

Providence (0-8-2 overall) broke the deadlock at 65:53. Freshman Carlos Suero beat a Villanova defender in the box and his shot was stopped by Teesdale. But the rebound caromed directly to Todd Stigliano who blasted a low shot from 15 yards out that found the back of the net.

The Wildcats, though, responded at the 72:55 mark. Freshman Chris Blatz (Great River, N.Y.) dribbled around Gruelich and then fed Raws who chipped the ball into the net to tie the game at one. Then at 78:05 senior Tony Rod (Philadelphia, Pa.) led Blatz beautifully into the box and Blatz again found Raws in front of the goal. Raws finished the play and it was 2-1.

Rod closed out the scoring when he beat Gruelich after a nice pass from Raws. That goal came at 88:34.

Villanova improves to 3-7-0 overall, 2-5-0 in the Big East. It returns to action on Tuesday here against Monmouth. Kickoff is 2:00 p.m.