Box Score Oct. 17, 2015 Final Stats
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova outshot their opponents by a 14-7 margin for the contest but couldn't come away with the win as Xavier defeated the Wildcats 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at Higgins Soccer Complex.
On a cold afternoon where wind was a major factor in game strategy for both teams, Villanova dominated the match but the Musketeers connected on two scoring opportunities for the victory.
The Wildcats outpaced the visitors by a 14-7 margin in shots and held a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal, but Xavier goalkeeper Rachel Piccus made nine saves on the afternoon to preserve the clean sheet for the Musketeers.
Xavier held a 1-0 lead heading into intermission following an early goal in the 12th minute. Emily Calvani served a long ball to the center of the 18 where Maggie Hare buried a long-range shot to the right high post to take the lead.
Villanova maintained their composure and continued to pepper Xavier with shots on effective runs towards net. Senior Hayley Wilson (Leonardtown, Md.) led the way with four shots in the first 45 minutes of action including two on goal for the stanza. Classmate Reanna Marino (Massapequa, N.Y.) also paced the Wildcats with two on net before heading into halftime.
Xavier tallied an insurance goal to make it 2-0 at the 79:24 mark from Samantha Dewey who finished to the near post off a cross from Skylar Groth.
The Wildcats continued to pressure in the final 10 minutes of the match and was aided by a defensive save from senior defender Michelle Wiese (Syracuse, N.Y.) following a Xavier corner kick. Wiese knocked the ball out of a scramble on the goal line to keep the game at 2-0, but Villanova wouldn't be able to recover for the comeback bid.
Villanova was paced by Wilson's game-high five shots while seven Wildcats tallied looks on goal for the afternoon. Xavier was led by Carly Alfano's two shots and Piccus' nine saves.
The Wildcats will return to action this coming Thursday, Oct. 22nd when they travel to Milwaukee, Wis. to take on the Marquette Golden Eagles. Game time is slated for 8 p.m. ET.
