April 29, 2011
Final Stats
VILLANOVA, Pa. - The University of Connecticut Huskies (9-6 overall, 3-4 BIG EAST) pulled ahead of Villanova late in the first half and then survived two Wildcat rallies in the final 30 minutes to post a 13-11 victory here on Friday evening. The Wildcats are now 5-10 overall and 1-6 in BIG EAST action with the regular season finale set for Sunday at Villanova Stadium against Syracuse.
Junior Justine Donodeo led a balanced Wildcat attack with three goals while senior Rachel Lasda added a pair of goals and classmate Carly Miller a goal and an assist.
Kiersten Tupper had two goals and four assists to pace the Huskies while M.E. Lapham recorded three goals in the win.
Villanova sophomore Amanda Hirschfeld had a strong night in net, making a season-high 15 saves for the Wildcats. Brittney Testa made seven saves while picking up the victory for UConn in goal.
The two teams traded goals for most of the first half. The contest was knotted at five after Villanova freshman Ali Brandenburg scored on a free position attempt with 4:57 remaining in the first half. Neither team led by more than a goal in the game's first 25 minutes.
Donodeo gave the Wildcats the lead at 6-5 with an unassisted goal with 3:52 left in the half. But the Huskies reeled off the final three goals of the period to take an 8-6 lead into halftime.
Lasda pulled the `Cats to within one just 51 seconds into the second half on a free position attempt. Connecticut restored the lead just over a minute later when Dorian Gilmartin-Dzitko converted a free position attempt at 27:58. Sophomore Maria Bowman and Lasda responded with unassisted goals for Villanova to tie the game at nine with 26:17 left.
The two teams traded goals again - Donodeo scored for Villanova - over the next ten minutes to knot matters at 10 with 15:12 to play.
UConn scored the next three goals, though, and that was the difference in the game. Sophomore Shannon Lane scored for Villanova with 10 seconds left to make the final count 13-11.
The Huskies owned a 38-26 advantage in shots and 19-17 edge on ground balls. Connecticut held a 17-9 advantage on draw controls.
