VILLANOVA, PA. – The Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team dropped a 13-9 decision to Villanova on Tuesday afternoon at Villanova Stadium.
 
The Hawks struck first on their opening possession, as Alexa Capozzoli found Olivia McCloskey for a clean finish to give Saint Joseph's an early lead. Villanova responded with goals on its first three shots and extended the advantage to 5-1 before McCloskey netted her second goal of the game with 2:33 remaining in the first quarter. The Wildcats added one more strike to carry a 6-2 lead into the second frame.
 
After six minutes of scoreless play in the second quarter, the Hawks mounted a 3-0 run to pull within one. Capozzoli dished out assists to Kate Fuhrman and Riley Miller, while Megan Sanelli capitalized during a scramble in front of the cage, as her pass deflected through traffic and into the net.
 
Villanova answered quickly with a 3-0 surge of its own before Kate Kaptrosky scored late in the half to trim the deficit to 9-6 at the break.
 
Capozzoli turned scorer just 2:30 into the second half, cutting the margin to 9-7. However, Villanova controlled the draw in the third quarter, winning four consecutive draw controls to dominate time of possession. The Wildcats limited Saint Joseph's to one goal in the frame while adding two of their own to push the lead to four entering the final quarter.
 
Capozzoli and Miller each scored their second goals of the contest in the final 3:12, but the late push was not enough as Villanova secured the 13-9 victory.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Alexa Capozzoli totaled five points on two goals and three assists. She now sits three assists shy of matching the program record of 110 career assists.
• Olivia McCloskey recorded two goals and one assist. Riley Miller added two goals.
• Kate Fuhrman was the fourth Hawk to register multiple points with a goal and two assists.
• Kaylyn Williams led the defense with four caused turnovers, while Sophie Stanislawczyk collected a team-high five ground balls.
• Tess Talbot played the second half in goal, making four saves (.500 save percentage).
• Villanova held a 35-16 edge in shots and a 19-13 advantage in shots on goal.
• The Wildcats controlled the draw, 18-4.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Joseph's opens its home schedule on Friday, Feb. 20, hosting No. 2/3 Maryland at Sweeney Field. Opening draw is set for 2 p.m.