Oct. 27, 2010
Final Stats
JAMAICA, N.Y. - Villanova traveled to one of the toughest road stops in the BIG EAST on Wednesday night, Belson Stadium, home to perennial league power St. John's. The match was scoreless for more than 80 minutes before the Red Storm (9-5-3 overall, 3-3-2 BIG EAST) got a goal from Dorn Sarle to nip the Wildcats (8-6-3 overall, 4-2-2 BIG EAST).
"It's a very tough place to play and I thought we handled it well," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "The turf was very fast with the rain and the whole environment there really works to their advantage. We had some great chances but they were able to get the goal late."
Villanova entered the action with its place in the BIG EAST playoffs already secure. The Wildcats took care of that with a 2-1 overtime win over Syracuse last week and picked up another point in a scoreless draw with Red Division rival Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon. In this match, VU confronted a Red Storm team (8-5-2 overall, 2-3-2 BIG EAST) that brought a four game unbeaten streak with it into this Red Division matchup.
Neither team dented the scoreboard in the first half. St. John's owned the edge in shots (8-4) and corner kicks (3-1) but the Wildcats defense was stout. Freshman Joseph Schmid had two of the `Cats four shots and sophomore Kyle Soroka another. Junior Chris Bresnahan was credited with one save in the first 45 minutes for Villanova.
The scoreless duel continued in the second half with neither club able to gain an edge in the first 20 minutes. Villanova picked up a chance in the 75th minute when it was awarded its second corner kick of the game. The ball was served to senior Anthony Griffith but his shot was wide of the net.
A few minutes later Griffith forced Red Storm goalkeeper Rafael Diaz to make his fourth save of the evening. Villanova then got a corner kick but was unable to convert.
"Their goalie made a great save on Jordy," stated Carlin.
The night's deciding play developed in the 83rd minute. Dorn Sarle of the Red Storm headed a ball into the back of the net from five yards out. Assists on the play were awarded to Walter Hines and Pablo Battuto Punyed at 82:11.
"We just lost a mark and they capitalized," Carlin stated.
Villanova got one more shot in its push to tie but an attempt by sophomore Kyle McCarthy was blocked in the 88th minute.
The Wildcats will complete the regular season on Saturday night at No. 2 Louisville. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. The BIG EAST playoffs begin next week.
"It's a tough loss but there isn't time to focus on it," stated Carlin. "We leave for Louisville on Friday to play one of the best teams in the country. There is no better way to get us ready for the BIG EAST playoffs than to play a great team on its home field."
