Aug. 28, 2005

Box Score

VILLANOVA, PA - Saint Joseph's women's soccer team earned its first win of the season and in the process earned the program's first victory over Villanova with a 2-1 decision Sunday.

The Hawks jumped out to an early lead, taking a 1-0 advantage in the sixth minute. Saint Joseph's forced the ball deep inside the Wildcats' zone and created a scramble in front of the net. Junior midfielder Kimmy Leigh gained control of the ball for the Hawks and tipped it to an open Nancy Cook. Cook's shot to the right corner beat a Villanova defender and found the back of the net at 5:27.

Saint Joseph's senior Alisha Paine put the Hawks up 2-0 with her first goal of the season. Paine took a midfield pass and streaked past the Wildcat defense and won the one-on-one versus goalkeeper Jillian Loyden with a shot to the middle of the net at 27:08.

Despite being outshot 11-4 in the first stanza, the Hawks held a 2-0 edge going into halftime.

Villanova's offense kept pressing the ball deep inside Saint Joseph's zone, but Hawks' senior goalkeeper Nicole DiEnna was stellar between the pipes. DiEnna, made three of her game-high nine saves in the second half.

Villanova's Kristin Anderson added a late goal at 89:12, but the Hawks were able pressure the Wildcats in the final seconds to hold on for the win.

For the game, the Wildcats out shot the Hawks 21-7 and held a 14-3 edge in corners.

Paine and junior Megan Schutt led the Hawks with two shots apiece, while Lindsey Finnegan and Kaley Guthrie each posted four shots for Villanova.

With the victory, the Hawks improve to 1-1 on the season, while the Wildcats fall to 1-1. Saint Joseph's win is the program's first over Villanova in three opportunities. The loss marks the first time since 2001 that the Wildcats lost a game in which they score at least a goal.

Saint Joseph's returns to action next Sunday, September 4 at Rutgers at 7 p.m.

**Photographs of today's game, as well as past Hawk games can be viewed at www.sidephotos.com.