VILLANOVA, Pa. – Belmar Joseph's first college goal helped Villanova forge a 1-1 draw with BIG EAST West Division leader Xavier (6-3-5 overall, 3-1-3 BIG EAST) on Alumni Day Saturday at the Higgins Soccer Complex.
 
As was the case a week ago in a rain-soaked clash St. John's, the conditions played a significant role in the tactics on this day. Although no rain fell on this most cloudy afternoon, the wind was a substantial element, swirling with gusts from 25-30 miles per hour. The win generally gusted from west to east, giving the side attacking the east goal a notable edge.
 
Villanova (1-7-5 overall, 1-4-2 BIG EAST) had the wind at its back in the opening 45 mintues and took full advantage. It jumped in front in the seventh minute. Balthi Saunders and Jorge Garcia exchanged a pass near the top left side of the 18-yard box at Xavier's end of the pitch. Garcia then sent a brilliant cross through the goalmouth that found Joseph, who finished with his right foot at 6:27.
 
"Once we advanced the ball into a higher pocket," said Villanova head coach Tom Carlin, "we did a good job of moving forward with it. Jorge did a good job of drawing a defender, bounced it off Balthi and then played a great ball across. We've been saying all year to get runners across the box in front of the goal. Credit to Belmar for being there. It was a great ball by Jorge."
 
The Wildcats carried that momentum over the course of the first half. Villanova owned a 9-8 edge in shots and a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks. Musketeers goalkeeper Jonny Mennell was forced to make five saves over the first 45 minutes.
 
"We got the early goal, which was nice, and we made them chase it a little bit," stated Carlin. "The wind definitely played a factor in the two halves. I liked our effort. I liked our execution and I liked our discipline. But we gave up a set piece goal. We lost a mark  and the guy made a play to finish it. It's tough to tie that way."
 
The Xavier goal came at 71:06 off a free kick from approximately 23 yards in front of goal. The Musketeers' Michael Rogalski served a ball into the middle of the box and found Matthew Senanou on a run. Senanou rose up and re-directed the ball into the net past Wildcats' goalkeeper Kent Dickey to level matters at one.
 
It was part of a period where Xavier had the more numerous attacking chances, outshooting the 'Cats 11-2.
 
Yet Carlin liked his team's chances of earning the full three points as the half played out.
 
"For the most part," he said, "I felt like we were neutralizing most of what they did. We were in a good routine with our steps. We felt good about keeping it in front of us. But soccer is a crazy game. It was one of those freaky type plays where we lose a mark and they get the equalizer.
 
"I thought we did a good job of trying to push after that. There were a lot of times where we were a pass away from creating something really dangerous. We were doing our best to battle the conditions."
 
Villanova closes out the home portion of its regular season schedule Tuesday at 3 p.m. vs. Army. The Wildcats will celebrate "Senior Day" prior to kickoff.