WILLIAMSBURG, Va. The Villanova Wildcats (1-0) took on the William & Mary Tribe (0-1) to kick off their 2023 season with an 18-6 win. Fifth year Caroline Curnal set the all-time draw control record at 240.  Freshman Elena Torres kick started her collegiate career with a whopping five goals, followed by Curnal with 4 and Sydney Pappas with 3. Graduate transfer Olivia Conquest made 10 saves in her first game for the Wildcats.

When asked about Curnal's stand out performance and her new career record, head coach Jill Batcheller says,"Curnal had the best game of her career today. From the draw to the attack, she was electric. She played with her usual confidence and competitiveness, but today we also saw composure. I am so excited about this start for her because there is so much more to come!"

Serena Jacobs from William & Mary started the game off strong by scoring within the first 32 seconds of the game. Villanova quickly counteracted with a four goal spurt ignited by Sydney Pappas, Maddie Luer, and two goals from Torres. London Simonides responded with a goal with just under three minutes to go in the first quarter. The Wildcats led 4-2 going into the second quarter.

Curnal came out strong in the second quarter with two back-to-back goals, the first being assisted by Cara Moreau and the second assisted by Maddie Luer. Simonides responded with her second goal of the game, making it 6-3 halfway through the quarter. The Wildcats responded with a three goal run by Pappas, Torres, and Curnal to get the game to halftime with Villanova winning 9-3.

Paige Gilbert scored halfway through the third quarter with an assist by Sarah Cipolla to start off the second half. Curnal and Sami Carey marched down the field to add two more goals to the Villanova scoreboard, making it 11-4 going into the fourth quarter.

Torres, Pappas, Jessie Lee, Catherine Field, Ashlyn Hickey, and Isabella Francati all scored in the fourth quarter to secure an overwhelming Wildcats win. Cipolla and Sam Van Gieson both scored for William & Mary, but it was not enough to make a difference against the Wildcats.

To comment on an amazing season opener, Batcheller adds, "This was a team win. William & Mary is a fast transition team. Against that, I thought we did a great job in controlling the pace of the game. Offensively, you saw a team that shared the ball and were dynamic in our looks. Defensively, our team played aggressively in creating turnovers. Our fifth year players, Curnal and Liv, were both game changers today. We are going to enjoy this one and be ready to get to work against another scrappy team next week!"

Villanova takes on the Saint Joseph's Hawks next Sunday, February 19^th , at 3:30 at home.

NOTES: Villanova outshot William & Mary 33-24, were 17-18 for clears, had 17 draw controls, and nine free-position shots.