VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova women's lacrosse started its 2024 with a high level matchup, suffering a close defeat to the No. 17 Southern California Trojans 12-11 on Sunday afternoon at Villanova Stadium.
It was a strong day for junior attacker Sydney Pappas, who put up a game-high five goals for Villanova (0-1) including her 100th career point on the first tally she scored. Sami Carey totaled three points with a goal and an assist, while freshman Sophia Corretjer made a splash in her debut with a goal and a helper.
"Today's game shows how much this team continues to grow year over year. A year ago when we played USC, this game had a double digit spread. Today this team played with heart and for each other," head coach Jill Batcheller. "Despite the outcome, I'm proud of the way we started the game setting the tone, coming back from a six goal deficit and putting the ball away against a top 20 opponent. We had seven different goal scorers, including two freshmen. Walking away from this game, I am so excited to continue to show what this team is capable of this season."
Cate Gallagher contributed eight saves between the pipes for the 'Cats, making multiple highlight reel stops in the first half while allowing USC to score just once in the second quarter. Four other players scored a single goal for the Wildcats, including the first career Villanova goal for freshman Rose Christie and Colorado transfer Katie Giordano.
Freshman Emma Verhoest controlled six of the game's draws, while Maddy Stoddard picked up four ground balls and Amelia Ricciuti tied for a match-high two caused turnovers.
The opening frame saw Villanova strike first as Cara Moreau found the back of the net on a Carey assist just over two minutes into the game, but the Trojans ended the period on a 3-0 run to lead by a pair.
VU dominated the first ten minutes of the second quarter, answering with three of their own started by Pappas' strong individual effort for her 100th career point. Corretjer got on the board next with a howitzer on a free position shot, then Katie Giordano put one home off a feed from Corretjer to grant the 'Cats a lead.
But the Women of Troy utilized a 7-0 run between Giordano's goal and the end of the third quarter to take control of the contest, going up 10-4 after three. A trio of those goals were scored on the same power play for USC, taking advantage of a two-minute non-releasable penalty for illegal equipment.
Villanova needed to answer and that they did, as Pappas broke that streak at 13:48 with an unassisted tally. Elena Torres brought VU back within four on a free position goal and after the Trojans took one back, it was a 5-1 Wildcat run to finish out the contest.
Pappas scored one on the player-up opportunity, then dunked another one home off a dime from Carey to give the 'Cats some momentum. Christie made it a two goal game with her first as a Wildcat, using a feed from last year's leading assister Kayla Gulmi.
Southern California proceeded to call a timeout and it paid dividends as a Trojan goal moved the lead to 12-9 before Pappas' fifth of the afternoon brought it back to two.
Carey scored her first of the season on a great individual play to bring the Wildcats within one at 1:16 on the ticker. USC won the ensuing draw to run a good deal of clock and despite Villanova poking it loose, the Women of Troy won the ball back to outlast the home side and pick up the victory.
UP NEXT: The Wildcats will remain at home for another week, taking on the Bucknell Bison on Saturday afternoon at Villanova Stadium.
