Oct. 30, 2004

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Pat Gallagher (Harrisburg, Pa.) headed a Jonathan Lopuksi (Montville, N.J.) free kick past Syracuse goalkeeper Rich Scheer in the 59th minute to propel Villanova (7-5-4 overall, 5-3-2 Big East) past Syracuse (4-12-0 overall, 2-7-0 Big East) on a wet afternoon at the Villanova Soccer Complex. Villanova's five Big East wins are the most it has posted in a single conference season since it began competing in the league in 1985.

Although no rain fell during the game, the field was extremely wet after showers fell this morning. That created lots of slipping for athletes on both squads and prevented either team from generating much first half offense. Both teams produced five shots in the first 45 minutes but none were very dangerous.

Villanova began to take control of play early in the second half and cashed in on an opportunity at the 59:35 mark. The Wildcats were awarded a free kick after a Syracuse foul not far from the corner kick box. Lopuski served a ball into the box and Villanova's Gallagher leaped to get a head on the ball. The header sailed past Scheer and into the top middle portion of the net. Lopuski was credited with his third assist of the season on the play.

As the Orange began taking chances to gain the equalizer in the latter stages of the second half, Villanova found itself with several wonderful scoring opportunities. Freshman Mike Del Guercio (Chatham, N.J.) broke in alone on Scheer but sailed his shot just wide of the net. Junior Greg Winther (Langhorne, Pa.) and Lopuski also were unable to convert on terrific shot attempts in the waning moments.

Fortunately for the Wildcats, though, Villanova's defense was stout. The Orange could muster only two second half shots as Wildcat senior Chris Edgar and Gallagher patrolled the middle of VU's defensive wall.

"I thought Edgar was the difference in the game," said Villanova head coach Larry Sullivan. "He controlled things in the back and cut off a number of plays that might have become scoring chances for Syracuse. Gallagher will get all the kudos and he had a good game. But Edgar was out best player on the field."

Craig Bald made four saves in net to post the shutout for Villanova.

Villanova has clinched a berth in the Big East Tournament. Its opponent next weekend will be determined at the conclusion of this weekend's matches. The `Cats close out the regular season this Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. against Penn State.