CINCINATTI, Oh.- The Villanova Wildcats (11-4) took on the Xavier Musketeers (4-9) today at Corcoran Field, defeating the Musketeers 21-9. Sydney Pappas led the team with seven points, followed by Kayla Gulmi with six, and Caroline Curnal and Sami Carey with five. Today's win marks the most wins in a season in Villanova women's lacrosse history. Led by head coach Jill Batcheller, this team has broken records and left their heart out on the field after each game. When asked what this win means to her, Batcheller says, "This year has felt special from the start. I am so proud of our team for making Villanova history today, which was one of our goals from the start of the season! And for it to happen on a game like today was special. Every player was able to step on the field today and be a part of this win! I want to especially shout out my incredible coaching staff- Maddy, Kelsea, and Jamie. We could not have achieved this without them and all of the heart and energy they put into this program on a daily basis!"

To kick off the game, Sawyer Walker gave the Musketeers an early goal just 90 seconds in. Shortly after, Pappas scored Villanova's first of many from a Sami Carey assist and Isabella Francati ripped one from the top of the eight. Curnal was awarded a free-position shot that was ricocheted off the post, but she was able to redeem herself a couple minutes later when she scored off a Gulmi assist. To continue the momentum, Pappas scored her second goal of the game in just eleven minutes of play. The following first quarter goals came from Francati who dodged defenders and Pappas who had a hat trick in the first fifteen minutes. 

The second quarter started off the same as the first with a Musketeer goal, but this time it was Molly Janssen who put one on the board for Xavier. Villanova outscored Xavier 9-5 in the second quarter. The 'Cats saw more goals from Gulmi, Pappas, Curnal, and Jessie Lee. The Musketeers saw goals from Molly Janssen, Lola Mancuso, Riley Halloran, Jess Harrison, and Julie Cassidy. The score was 16-6 going into the second half. 

The Musketeers continued to strike first as Kiera Armitage scored the first goal of the second half. Villanova answered this Musketeer resilience by scoring two back-to-back goals from Lee and Carey. It took seven more minutes for us to see another goal from either team and it came from Villanova's Ashlyn Hickey from a free-position goal. Gulmi finished out the third quarter as she scored Villanova's 20th goal. We saw many substitutions in the second half, the most noticeable ones being Cate Gallagher and Kennedy Schottland in for goalie Olivia Conquest. 

To keep the pattern alive, the first goal of the fourth quarter came from Xavier's Natalie Ellis with about eight minutes left in the game. Gabriella Henson-Vendrell responded by scoring her first collegiate goal. This was not the last goal of the game, however, as Halloran charged back down the field and scored with about two minutes left on the clock. The final score was Villanova 21, Xavier 9. 

To catch more of the Wildcats, tune in this Sunday, April 23, at 1:00 p.m. as they take on Marquette on senior/alumni day. 

NOTES: Villanova's history with Marquette is 5-4 in favor of the 'Cats…Caroline Curnal currently holds the all-time career record for draw controls at 362 and the season record for draws at 135…Curnal earned her 100th career point last week against Georgetown…Sydney Pappas leads the team in goals with 49 and points with 59… Sami Carey currently has 51 points…Mary Kate Conniff leads the team in caused turnovers with 18 followed by Molly Dunphey with 14…Kayla Gulmi leads the team with 28 assists…