Sept. 2, 2001

Series Information

First Meeting: 1976, Ursinus wins 3-0
Series Record: 5-10-0
Coach Milhous vs. Bears: 1-0
Last Meeting	: 1999, Villanova wins 6-0
Last Villanova Victory: 1999, Villanova wins 6-0
Last Ursinus Victory: 1993, Ursinus wins 2-1 in Overtime

NOTES:  Ursinus lost their season opener yesterday to Temple 2-1 ... Today marks the 2001 home opener for Villanova ... Last year the Wildcats were 3-8 at Villanova Stadium with four of those losses coming in overtime.

Scouting The Bears Field hockey is the most renowned athletic program at Ursinus College. The only Ursinus team to compete at the NCAA Division I level, the Bears' field hockey team is also the oldest Division I field hockey team in the nation. Ursinus celebrated its 80th anniversary of field hockey at the college in 1999.

Ursinus enter today's match-up with an 0-1 record after losing the season opener to Temple yesterday (Sept. 1). Ursinus tied the game at 1-1 in the first half, but Temple emerged victorious scoring the game winning goal with 15:50 left to play. Bears sophomore Jess Shellaway scored the only goal for UC.

Head coach Laura Moliken enters her third season with Ursinus with a 9-27 record with hopes of building on last year's campaign.The 2001 team returns their leading scorer from last season, Julie Lowell. Lowell, a senior tallied 21 points on nine goals and three assists. The 2000 team doubled the Bears' win total from 1999 finishing with an overall record of 6-12, 2-4 in the Patriot League.

A First For Pizzulli Entering the 2001 season coach Milhous knew that she had one of her best recruiting classes since her arrival on the Main Line. One of the standouts among the class of 2005 is Vanessa Pizzulli (Oceanport, N.J.), a 2000 Regional All-American following her senior season. Just one game into her rookie season Pizzulli has already made an impact tallying her first career point in a Wildcat uniform. Starting her first collegiate game on Friday versus Drexel, Pizzulli assisted on the Wildcats lone goal off of a penalty corner. Milhous and the 'Cats will look to Pizzulli to make her presence felt both defensively and offensively throughout the season.

Lisausky Strikes Sophomore Leah Lisausky (Morrisville, Pa.) scored the lone Villanova goal in the 'Cats season opening loss to Drexel. The goal was her first of the season and ninth of her career. Lisausky, a unanimous selection to the 2000 All-Big East Rookie Team, has started all 21 games since her arrival and currently has nine goals and five assists for 23 career points.

On The Road Again Following this afternoon's home game versus Ursinus the 'Cats play the next four games away from home. Villanova will travel to Easton, Pa. to square off against Lafayette on Wednesday, Sept. 5 and to Franklin Field in Philadelphia to play Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The 'Cats will then pack their bags and head to Columbus, Ohio for the Big East/Big Ten Challenge where they will play Michigan St. on Saturday, Sept. 15, and Penn St. on Sunday, Sept. 16.

Coaches Corner

Head Coach Joanie Q. Milhous on the upcoming 2001 season:

"Last season we came close so many times, but just couldn't make things happen. We return 10 starters and have a good group of seniors. We know what it takes to win because we have all been there. This year we are going to take things one day at a time, one game at a time. Hopefully we will find ourselves back in the Big East Tournament in November."

The Milhous File In her seven seasons at Villanova, head coach Joanie Q. Milhous has posted a 56-68 record. Her resume includes leading the Wildcats to three consecutive post-season tournament appearances and being voted 1999 Big East Coach of the Year. Her 56 wins at Villanova ranks second on the All-Time wins list, just two wins behind coach Cheryl Massaro (1983-89). All-Time Winningest Coaches At Villanova

1.     Cheryl Massaro (1983-89)                58
2.     Joanie Q. Milhous (1995-Present)      56
3.     Jackie Gerzabek (1990-94)               45
4.     Cathy Miller (1976-79)                     31

Up Next... On Wednesday, Sept. 5 the Wildcats will travel to Easton, Pa. to face-off against the Lafayette Leopards. The game will be played at Metzgar Field and is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. Last season Villanova defeated the Leopards, 4-2, behind a two-goal effort by Vrettos, but Lafayette leads the all-time series 4-21-1.