Sept. 19, 2010
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VILLANOVA, Pa. - In addition to winning its third straight game, Villanova (5-4) emerged as champions of the Villanova Classic and also recorded its first shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over Charlotte (5-3) at the West Campus Soccer Complex on Sunday. The game's only goal came in the 73rd minute when junior forward Katie Ryan (Wayne, N.J.) tallied her fifth goal of the season.
From start to finish, the Wildcats exhibited a presence defensively that was markedly better than the team has showed at times during the opening weeks of the season. Villanova limited the 49ers to just two shots on goal in the entire game, and just eight total attempts at the net (three shots in the second half).
The pace of the game slowed down in general early in the second half but the Wildcats started to gain a little steam and never let up that momentum during the final 18 minutes after they scored their goal. Ryan notched her ninth career game-winning goal at 72:35 and each team had just one additional shot after that.
Sophomore forward Heidi Sabatura (Lawrenceville, N.J.) passed a ball from the center of the field, senior midfielder Justine Wollner (Downingtown, Pa.) came sliding in and was just able to tap the ball over to Ryan on the right side. Ryan then finished the play to send Villanova to its fifth consecutive title in its home tournament.
Wollner led all players with four shots in the game and had two of the Wildcats five shots on goal. Ryan and junior forward Megan Verdeur (Levittown, Pa.) had two shots apiece.
Freshman goalkeeper Jami Kranich (Hamden, Conn.) made two saves to pick up the first solo shutout of her collegiate career. She also improved her record in the net to 5-3 as Villanova wrapped up its regular season non-conference schedule. The team plays solely against BIG EAST Conference opponents the rest of the way.
Sam Huecker and Macky Wingo each had two shots for Charlotte, which was trying to avenge a home loss to the Wildcats last season. Natalie LaVigne had four saves in goal for the 49ers.
Villanova placed four players on the All-Tournament Team, with Kranich, Ryan and Sabatura being joined by senior defender Patty Tierney (Churchville, Pa.).
Next up for the Wildcats in their return to conference play is a 7 p.m. game on Friday night at Seton Hall.
ââ'¬Æ' VILLANOVA CLASSIC TOURNAMENT WRAP-UP
Game Scores
Charlotte 2, Towson 1
Villanova 2, Monmouth 1 (ot)
Villanova 1, Charlotte 0
Towson 1, Monmouth 0 (2ot)
Tournament Champion
Villanova (2-0-0)
Runner-Up
Charlotte (1-1-0) - defeated Towson 2-1 in tournament's first game
All-Tournament Team
Jami Kranich, Villanova
Katie Ryan, Villanova
Heidi Sabatura, Villanova
Patty Tierney, Villanova
Sam Huecker, Charlotte
Ashley Roberto, Charlotte
Whitney Weinraub, Charlotte
Emily Banes, Towson
Courtney Lupinek, Towson
Kim Speese, Towson
Lia Fierro, Monmouth
Jennie Vartebedian, Monmouth
Mary Wilks, Monmouth
