Feb. 24, 2008

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Junior Taryn McKenna (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollows Hill East H.S.) scored three goals to help Villanova rally from an early 3-0 deficit to defeat Iona 10-8 in a women's lacrosse game played on a sunny, cold afternoon at Villanova Stadium. The game was the season opener for both squads.

Iona netted three goals in the game's first four minutes to seize the early advantage. Christie Godlewski scored twice and Lisa Baron added another to give the Gaels a three goal edge with 26:16 to go in the opening half. Freshman Rachael Ponge (Fayetteville, N.Y./Christian Brothers) got the Wildcats on the scoreboard off a feed from Samantha McKillip (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood H.S.) at 21:35. McKenna pulled the `Cats to within one with a free position goal at 19:39.

An unassisted goal by Kelly Hughes restored Iona's lead to 4-2 before Villanova scored three straight goals to close out the half to grab a 5-4 lead at intermission. The goals came from McKillip, freshman Kim Wisniewski (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West H.S.), and sophomore Sarah Berger (Malvern, Pa./The Hill School).

Villanova scored three more goals in the first four minutes of the second half to take control of the contest. Freshman Carly Miller (Rye, N.Y./Rye H.S.) recorded her first career goal at 29:10 followed by scores off the sticks of junior Meredith Kolmer (Berwyn, Pa./Conestoga H.S.) and McKenna on a free position shot. Rachel O'Leary drew Iona within 8-5 at 19:07 before senior Amanda Carlson (Middle Island, N.Y./Longwood H.S.) answered for the Wildcats with a goal on a pass from McKillip at 18:49. After Hughes scored again for the Gaels, McKenna picked up her third at 11:02 to make the count 10-6.

Iona scored twice in the final 10 minutes to pull to within 10-8. But the Villanova defense, anchored by freshman goalie Maggie Langan (Potomac, Md./Winston Churchill H.S.) held firm and the Wildcats had their first victory of 2008.

The Wildcats return to the field on Wednesday when Drexel pays a visit to the Main Line for a 5:30 p.m. contest at Villanova Stadium.