Syracuse University
Villanova
Villanova Notches 2-1 BIG EAST Victory in Field Hockey
10/10/2003 9:25:13 PM | Field Hockey
Sophomore forward Rory Rogers scored with 1:41 remaining in the first half to break a 0-0 tie and her Villanova Wildcats went on to defeat Syracuse, 2-1, in BIG EAST Conference field hockey play at J.S. Coyne Stadium. The 'Cats improved their season record to 7-5, 2-1 in the league. Syracuse finds itself 0-3 in the conference for the first time since team standings began in 1993. Overall, the Orangewomen are 4-7 this season.
SU came out strong and had a couple of early looks at the cage. The Orangewomen had four penalty corners in the first half, while never allowing Villanova to line up for its set play. In the first half, Syracuse outshot the Wildcats, 9-4, however, Rogers capitalized on one of her team's few opportunities during the first 35 minutes. She took a pass from Megan Foster near the left post and slapped it into the goal. That play changed the momentum of the game.
Christina Lugones upped the score to 2-0 at the 47:13 mark with a rebound shot.
Syracuse finally got one of its chances to fly past Villanova keeper Erin Scott at the 51:15 mark. Freshman midfielder Meg Ryan (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) swept the ball from the top right side of the circle. Senior forward Ann-Marie Guglieri (Carmel, N.Y./Carmel) charged in from the left and deflected the ball high over Scott's head and into the cage. It was Guglieri's second goal in as many games and the 12th of her career. She now leads the Orangewomen in scoring this season with 12 points (four goals, four assists).
With 17:35 remaining in the contest, sophomore back Michelle Sola (Blandon, Pa./Oley Valley) carried the ball into the circle where an infraction was called on a Villanova defender and a penalty stroke was awarded to the Orangewomen. Senior midfielder Jackie Sheaffer (Richfield, Pa./Middleburg) was selected by head coach Kathleen Parker to take the stroke. Sheaffer had a nice idea and actually had Scott beat, but her shot was just outside and ricocheted off the right post.
Scott finished with a game-high eight saves, including six in the first half. SU goalkeeper Betsy Wagner (Cherry Hills, Colo./Colorado Academy) finished with two saves for the game.
The Orangewomen are back in action on Sunday, Oct. 12, when they host Lafayette College at 1 p.m.
Villanova 2, Syracuse 1
Villanova 1-1=2
Syracuse 0-1=1
First Half Scoring:
VU - Rory Rogers (Megan Foster) 33:19
Second Half Scoring:
VU - Christina Lugones (unassisted) 47:13
SU - Ann-Marie Guglieri (Meg Ryan) 51:15
Shots: Syracuse 15, Villanova 8
Saves: Betsy Wagner (SU) 2, Erin Scott (Villanova) 8
Penalty Corners: Syracuse 10, Villanova 2
Attendance: 224
