Oct. 6, 2010
Final Stats
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Villanova (6-4-1 overall, 2-0-0 BIG EAST) wrapped up the non-conference portion of its regular season slate with a 1-0 loss to No. 24 Penn State (7-3-0 overall, 0-2-0 Big Ten) on a rainy night here.
"We really felt like we had our chances in the first half," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "Emerson Lawrence and Kyle Soroka created quality chances but unfortunately we couldn't get one into the net. Then they picked up a goal and we had to chase the game a little bit."
The difference in the contest was a play in the 20th minute. That's when the Nittany Lions came up with the evening's only score and it was credited to Drew Cost. He took a feed from Mackenzie Arment and got the ball past Wildcats junior goalkeeper Chris Bresnahan to give Penn State the 1-0 lead at the 19:05 mark.
"It was just kind of a defensive miscue on our part that allowed them to have that opportunity," noted Carlin. "They did a good job of making their chance count. I thought on the whole we had the better scoring chances in the first half and the tempo the way we wanted it. Unfortunately, for us, they got the goal."
The two teams each generated five shots in the first half.
The tough defensive nature of the contest continued in the second half. The Wildcats worked hard to generate chances with freshman Joseph Schmid producing two shots. But Penn State kept the clamps on Villanova and the Wildcats were shut down by the team ranked No. 24 in the nation by the NSCAA.
Penn State ended the night with a 12-8 edge in shots. Bresnahan was credited with three saves in net for Villanova.
"This was a good test for us," stated Carlin. "Now we are finished with the non-conference part of the schedule. We have seven games left and they are all in the BIG EAST. We know it's a challenge but we're looking forward to applying the lessons we have learned in games like this one."
Villanova will meet Red Division rival USF at the home of the Philadelphia Union, PPL Park, on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets for that game are available for $5 by calling 1-800-298-4200.
