VILLANOVA, PA - Villanova women's lacrosse is now 8-3 and 2-0 in BIG EAST play after their 18-6 win over Butler on Saturday afternoon.

Before the opening draw, the Wildcats celebrated their 12 seniors: Caroline Keane, Amelia Ricciuti, Sami Carey, Maddy Stoddard, Lindsay Kupka, Maggie Masuret, Megan Reilly, Kate Montalto, Sydney Pappas, Meghan Lowe, Katie Giordano and Cate Gallagher.

The 'Cats had 11 different scorers in today's game and Emma Verhoest had 12 draw controls. Kupka and Anne Edens both had two caused turnovers, while Carey lead the team in points with seven.

In the first quarter, Villanova went on a four goal run before Butler was able to score. Jillian Vaught started the momentum, catching a pass from Carey. Elena Torres then helped Rose Christie find the back of the net before Sophia Corretjer found Vaught for her second goal. Ashlyn Hickey netted the next ball with Carey on the assist. Pappas then found the back of the net twice, putting the Wildcats up 6-1 going into the second.

Butler scored their second goal of the game at the start of the second quarter. Bella Piselli answered back with the help of Hickey. Torres finds Carey who ripped it back the goal. Butler scored again but Carey answered back, this time assisted by Hickey who then finds Pappas to help her earn a hat trick, making the score 10-3 before Christie netted a free position shot. Carey passed to Leslio Iorio who finds the back of the net for the first time of the game. 

Reilly was the next Wildcat to score, her first goal since April 2022, and put the game into a running clock. With 27 seconds left, Lauren Redfern catches a pass from Carey and fires it into the net, putting the score at 14-3 at half.

With 14:12 on the clock, Hickey finds the net once again. Maddie Luer helps Redfern earn her second goal of the game. At the end of the quarter, Georgia Sobocinski (first career point) sends a pass to Amber DeRosa who sends it past the goalie to put the 'Cats up 17-3 going into the fourth.

The Bulldogs were able to score three goals, ending the Wildcats 10 goal run. Elle Brady was the last 'Cats to score.

Villanova will travel to Georgetown on Wednesday.