CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – The Wildcats fell to the #13 UC San Diego Tritons 15-10 in the first game of the Crimson Classic hosted by Harvard University.

The Wildcats, who received a vote in the Week 3 CWPA Women's Varsity Poll, have remained incredibly close in games when facing a ranked opponent this season.

Villanova was able to start strong, scoring two goals in the first three minutes of the match until the Triton offense took over, scoring eight of the game's next 10 goals.

After coach Michael Gordon called a timeout with three minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Wildcats scored three goals in the final 2:24 and then three more in the first four minutes of the fourth to cut the deficit down to four.

Six players found the back of the net in Saturday morning's game, with two scoring multiple goals. Emmie Mallory led the scoring, cashing in four times for her third hat trick in her last five games. The sophomore has recorded 13 goals over those five games, going back to the game against Pacific to open the Bruno Classic.

Painter totaled five points, scoring two goals and dishing out three assists in the contest. She capitalized on UCSD being a man down as she scored a goal and two assists while Villanova was in the power play.

Riley Hull reemerged as a key piece of the Wildcat's offense, drawing four exclusions, giving VU a reset shot clock and time to regroup while playing from behind.

Gracin Kerry only allowed five goals in the second half and made nine saves. Two of those saves occurred while the Wildcats were a man down. She also affected the offensive end by tallying two steals and an assist.

UP NEXT
The Wildcats have one more game to play on the first day of the Crimson Classic, taking on the #15 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at 5:10 P.M.

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