NEW YORK, N.Y. – The women's lacrosse team traveled to New York on Tuesday, Mar. 19 to face Columbia University where it defeated the Lions 11–10 in overtime. The Wildcats are now 6-4 overall and head into conference play next weekend at Marquette.

With this win, Villanova is now 2-0 all-time against Columbia and is now 1-1 in overtime games for the 2019 season.

The contest between the Wildcats and Lions was a game with many lead changes and multiple ties. To start the contest Columbia was first on the board, but Villanova quickly answered back with two goals. Kim McDonough and Katie Comerford were able to find their way past Abby Roberts to tie and then take the lead.

The Lions tied things up again this time on a free-position goal by Rachel Graff. Then, Villanova went on a 3-0 run after receiving goals from Grainger Rosati, Ashley Lynch and another from McDonough. Rosati was set up by Lynch who tallied three assists for the contest and who also received her pass from Nicole Concannon. McDonough's second goal of the game put the Wildcats up 5-2.

To head into the half, Hassinger scored a last second goal from Liz Trojan to give the Wildcats a 6-2 cushion headed into the break.

Again, Columbia was first to score to start the frame. This time the Lions received a goal from Chelsea Witteck and an assist from Emily Manville. Comerford then netted in her second goal of the game to make the score 7-3.

The Lions quickly went off and scored five unanswered goals to take an 8-7 lead. Columbia briefly kept the lead until Lynch set Brittany Bruno up with a pass in the front of the net to even the score.

It was not long before Villanova took back the lead at 10-8 after Concannon netted in two back-to-back goals. The first goal was unfolded after Hassinger passed the ball up the field to Concannon on a fast break. She then passed the ball up to Lynch and received it back right in front of the net where she blasted it in past Roberts. Her second goal came on a converted free-position shot.

Although it appeared that Villanova had control of the game, Columbia was able to score two unanswered goals, to tie the game yet again. The last goal came with 1:44 left in the half but neither team could score again in regulation.

The first four minutes of overtime went by until Villanova drew back-to-back fouls to set Trojan up at the free-position line. She passed off her first attempt but went for the net in her second attempt where she scored the game-winner and secured the 11-10 win for the 'Cats.

Comerford, McDonough and Concannon lead the team with two goals each and five others helped contribute to the 11-goal total. Devin Hassinger was unstoppable again when it came to draw controls. For the game, she tallied 10 DC, one goal, two ground balls and two caused turnovers. Sydney Frank led the way on defense with three caused turnovers.

Moro was again a huge proponent in the net and made multiple game-changing saves for the Wildcats. She faced 26 shots an made 11 saves throughout the contest for a .524 save percentage.

As a team, Villanova outshot Columbia 30-26, picked up 29 ground balls, tied the Lions in draw controls with 12 and had seven free-position shots to Columbia's 10.

Villanova will have over a week to gear up for its first BIG EAST Conference game of the season. The Wildcats will travel to Milwaukee, W.I. to face Marquette on Saturday, Mar. 30 at 12 p.m. CT.