Sept. 28, 2001
Catching Up With The 'Cats
The Wildcats enter tonight's contest with a 5-2 record, 2-0 in Big East action. On Wednesday, Sept. 26, Villanova held Rutgers to only two shots in 1-0 shutout. The win gave the Wildcats the best start in Big East action in school history. Senior Krissy Malchitsky (Perkiomenville, Pa.) scored the lone goal for the 'Cats off a penalty corner with 6:53 remaining in the contest.
Sophomore Christina Lugones (Oceanport, N.J.) leads Villanova offensively with nine points (three goals, three assists). Malchistky has tallied seven points (three goals, one assist). Defensively, goalkeeper Meghan Helwig (Basking Ridge, N.J.) earned her second shutout of the season versus Rutgers and has a 0.97 goals against average.
Head coach Joanie Q. Milhous is in her seventh season directing the Wildcats and has a record of 61-69 on the Main Line. With a 3-1 win over West Chester on Wednesday, Sept. 19, Milhous became the all-time winningest field hockey coach at Villanova surpassing Cheryl Massaro (1984-89).
Scouting William & Mary
William & Mary comes into today's contest with a 6-2 record overall, 0-1 in Colonical Athletic Conference play Last time out the Tribe defeated Pennsylvania, 4-1 in Williamsburg, Va. on Sept. 23. The victory was the second in a row for William & Mary.
William & Mary is led offensively by a pair of juniors, Ann Ekberg and Kristen Southerland. Ekberg, who tallied a goal and an assist last time out against Pennsylvania, has 13 points on the season, with six goals and one assist. Southerland, who had an assist versus Penn, also has 13 points, with four goals and five assists.
The Tribe is led by head coach Peel Hawthorne, who is in her 14th season at the helm. Hawthorne has posted a 161-118-2 record during her tenure.
Series Information
William & Mary holds an advantage over the Wildcats in the all-time series with a 4-1-0 record. The last time the 'Cats defeated William & Mary was in 1999 when they shutout the Tribe, 2-0 at Villanova Stadium. Last season, 'Nova fell 5-2 to William & Mary down in Williamsburg, Va. Here is a brief look at the series history:
First Meeting:1993, W & M wins 2-0
Last Villanova victory:1999, VU wins 2-0
Last Rutgers victory:2000, W & M wins 5-2
Milhous versus W & M: 1-3
Villanova Adds Temple To The Schedule
Villanova has announced the addition of the Temple Owls to the 2001 Field Hockey schedule. The Philadelphia rivals will square of on Thursday, October 4, in Philadelphia, Pa. It will be the first meeting between the teams since 1997. Temple holds the lead in the all-time series between the two, 9-1. The game is being played as a replacement for the scheduled game against michigan state that was cancelled earlier in the season.
Familiar Face Across Sidelines
Today's game against William & Mary is extra special for Villanova head coach Joanie Q. Milhous. Milhous, Villanova's all-time leader in wins as field hockey head coach, played for William & Mary head coach Peel Hawthorne during her collegiate career. Milhous graduated from William & Mary in 1991 and was a two-time Regional All-American in field hockey.
Lugones Earns Big East Honors
On Monday, Sept. 24, the Big East honored sophomore Christina Lugones (Oceanport, N.J.) as the Offensive Player of the Week. Lugones' week was highlighted by a two goal performance as Villanova upset No. 14 Connecticut. Both her goals came in the first half just over three minutes apart. Earlier in the week Lugones tallied a goal versus No. 11 Penn St. and an assist versus West Chester. She finished the week with three goals and one assist for seven points.
Best Big East Start Ever
With a 1-0 victory over Rutgers on Wednesday, September 26, Villanova began its Big East Conference schedule 2-0 for the first time in school history. The best season Villanova has ever had in the Big East came in 1992 when they finished the regular season 4-1. VU also won a Big East Tournament Championship in 1990 when they finished the regulare season 2-3. The Wildcats resume Big East play when they take on the Providence Friars on Sunday, October 7th, at 12:00 PM at Villanova Stadium.
