Villanova Answers Wagner Second Half Challenge
from press release
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Senior attacker
Carolyn Clark (Syracuse, NY/ Westhill) tied her career high with
five goals, all in the second half, as Wagner dug itself out of an
early deficit to draw to within 10-7 before Villanova ran off the
last six tallies of the game en route to a 16-7 victory at Wagner
College Stadium in the season opener for both teams.
The Wildcats were in control early as they jumped out to a 9-0
halftime bulge. Justine Donodeo and Maria Bowman each notched two
goals during the Villanova first-half surge.
The Seahawks, however, came out smoking in the second half, scoring
five answered goals to make it a 9-5 game. Clark got things going
just 1:50 into the second frame by converting a free position shot.
After senior midfielder Melanie Garces (San Diego, CA/ Westview)
slammed home a goal off a feed from junior attacker Erika Bulken
(Baldwinsville, NY/ C.W. Baker), Clark exploded for three goals in
a span of just 2:49. Her first two goals were unassisted efforts
while the third, at the 17:40 mark came off a feed from Bulken.
Donodeo broke the Seahawk run by converting a free position shot,
Wagner countered with consecutive goals by sophomore attacker Sam
Morin (Rockville Centre, NY/ South Side) and Clark, both on free
position shots, to claw the Seahawks to within three goals at 10-7
with 13:35 left.
Hannah Goforth then began Villanova’s game-ending 6-0 spree
with a tally at 12:13 off an assist by Maria Bowman. Jackie
Froccaro then knocked home a pair of goal followed by two straight
from Donodeo to extend the lead to 15-7. Bowman then capped the
day’s scoring with a goal at the 44-second mark to fashion
the final score at 16-7.
Donodeo and Bowman tied for game-high honors in points with six
apiece with Donodeo’s coming on six goals while Bowman had
three goals and three assists. Froccaro and Goforth added two goals
each for the Wildcats.
In addition to Clark’s five tallies, Moring and Garces wound
up with one goal apiece while Bulken had two assists. In goal,
Amanda Hirschfeld, who played the entire first half and part of the
second half, had four saves while Amanda Hirschfeld stopped three
shots.
For Wagner, sophomore goalie Morgan Roach (Syracuse, NY/ Westhill)
went the whole way in goal and was credited with three saves.
Villanova held a 32-19 edge in shots and led in ground balls while
Wagner boasted a 15-9 advantage in draw controls. The Wildcats were
successful on 3-of-4 free position shots we while the Seahawks were
a perfect 3-of-3 in this department.
Wagner swings back into action on Wednesday, February 23. First
draw is set for 4:00 pm.
