Box Score April 15, 2017 Box Score
VILLANOVA, Pa. - In the first ever meeting between Villanova and new BIG EAST associate member Denver, the No. 13 Pioneers outscored the Wildcats 9-2 in the first half en route to a 17-10 victory on Saturday afternoon at Villanova Stadium. Freshmen accounted for all 10 Villanova goals against the nationally-ranked opponent.
Villanova leading goal-scorer freshman Katie Comerford had yet another impressive game with four goals scored, while classmate Kim McDonough notched her fourth hat trick performance in her last five games in the loss. Fellow rookie Maggie Jennings fed the Wildcats with three assists and added a late second half goal for a season-high four point game.
The Wildcats transitioned well, clearing the restraining line on 15 of 18 opportunities. Draw controls were also a strength for Villanova, winning 16 draw controls compared to Denver's 13 on the day. Liz Trojan led the Wildcats with four draw controls.
The Pioneers were led offensively by Emily Conway and Elizbeth Behrins, who combined for 11 goals.
Denver opened scoring on the windy 65-degree day on the Main Line with three consecutive goals, as Villanova was forced to call an early timeout with 26:22 left on the clock in the first half.
After the timeout, Kim McDonough scooped up a ground ball and darted down the field, before depositing a shot past the Denver goalkeeper to give the Wildcats their first score. The Pioneers connected on two goals to expand its lead before McDonough scored her 21st goal on the season to cut Denver's advantage to 5-2 with exactly 15 minutes left in the first half. The No. 13 ranked team in the country finished the first half on a 4-0 run to take a 9-2 lead into halftime.
The Wildcats regrouped after the intermission and came out firing early in the second half. Comerford contributed her first two scores within the first five minutes by converting passes from Jennings and sophomore Devon Brown.
Freshman Grainger Rosati bounced a shot past Denver's goalkeepers on a free position attempt with 24:34 left in the second half, as the Wildcats slashed the Pioneers' lead to just 9-5.
Denver got back on the scoreboard for the first time in the second half a minute later to reclaim a five-goal lead. Both teams traded goals for the next 12 minutes, featuring Villanova goals by Trojan, Comerford and McDonough.
The Pioneers padded its lead with back-to-back scores as Denver led 14-8 with 11:45 remaining. Comerford logged her fourth goal in the game and 34th score on the season on a free position shot, but Denver countered on another 2-0 run with 8:13 left as Denver lead 16-9.
Jennings registered Villanova's final goal of the contest with 1:15 left, but Denver extended its lead to seven with a goal in the final minute to push past the Wildcats 17-10.
The young Villanova played even with the nationally-ranked squad in the second half, as both teams scored eight times in the final 30 minutes.
The Wildcats will honor seniors Cassidy Luidens, Dana Bouwman, Catherine Bendinelli, Carolyn Dottino, Sam Scarfogliero and volunteer assistant coach Becca Hetrick on April 22 against UConn for senior day. First draw is slated for noon at Villanova Stadium.
