VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova Men's Lacrosse was downed by RV Colgate on Saturday by a score of 16-5. The Raiders were helped by 12 unanswered goals that resulted in an insurmountable deficit for the 'Cats to rebound upon.

VU started off where they left off in their matchup against Yale, getting out to an early lead on goals by Luke Williams and Colin Michener, the latter coming off a turnover that Michener himself caused.

Casey Quinson, Jack Turner, and the Connor brothers: Rory and Liam, led the charge for the Raiders, all scoring multiple goals before the half.

This was part of 12 unanswered goals that Colgate scored between 7:59 in the first, until 8:40 in the third quarter.

The two squads went into the break with Colgate leading 10-2.

In the second half, the Wildcats were able to tone down the Raiders offense as they slotted Denis Fargione in goal for his college debut. The freshman captured 12 saves, the most of any Villanova goalie this season. He also scooped up three ground balls.

Luke Raymond scored on an assist from Matt Licata to stop the scoring drought, which was followed up by a Gavin Michener goal, scored after backing up a shot by Fargione who was looking to capitalize on a defensive breakdown with the Raiders goalie up near the restraining line.

Licata tallied his second point of the day on his third attempt of the Wildcats possession with two minutes remaining after James Beeghly tallied his first career ground ball, dishing it back to the graduate student who danced around the net, punching it in for the goal.

Aidan Ahearn and Jack Shoemaker recorded identical stat lines of two caused turnovers and three ground balls. The Wildcats did not win the turnover battle, but they still remain one of the top teams in the country at forcing them.

Tyler Sandoval helped the Wildcats win the faceoff battle by going a stellar 15-19 (.789%) in the circle in this contest. This performance brings his season average up to (.629%). The graduate student recorded his highest win rate since May 14, 2022, against Boston University when he went 15-18 (.833) against the Terriers.

Fargione and Ahearn made their first appearances of the season, the formers first as a Wildcat; while Gavin Michener started for the first time in his career.

UP NEXT 
Villanova Men's Lacrosse will return to action Friday, February 28, at 4:00 P.M., when they take on another Patriot League opponent in the Lehigh Mountain Hawks at Villanova Stadium.

TICKETING
Individual game tickets are available for the rest of the season; please check here for more information and to purchase tickets for upcoming games.

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