April 3, 2002

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Freshman Lisa Savage scored three goals, including a pair in the first half, and senior goalie Lauren Gulotta made a game-high 22 saves to lead Rutgers to an 11-5 victory over Villanova on Wednesday night at Villanova Stadium. With the loss, the Wildcats drop to 6-3 on the season while Rutgers improves to 4-6.

Junior Meghan Carolan (Hicksville, N.Y./Hicksville) gave Villanova an early 1-0 lead when she scored her first goal into the game off an assist from freshman Steph Haas (North Wales, Pa./Gwynedd Mercy). Rutgers responded with a Cali Wojkyla goal at the 16:15 mark but the Wildcats struck right back when junior Elizabeth Firth (Chevy Chase, Md./Georgetown Visitation) beat Gulotta only twenty seconds later to give the 'Cats a 2-1 advantage. After the Scarlet Knights scored two straight goals, the Wildcats tied the game at three on an unassisted score by Carolan. Savage then capitalized off a Villanova turnover by scoring her second goal of the half with sixteen seconds remaining to give Rutgers a one goal lead at the half.

After a Rutgers score to open second half play, the 'Cats pulled to within 5-4 just 1:30 into the second half following Carolan's fourth goal of the game. The Scarlet Knights then used a 6-0 run over the next 16:11 to pull away en route to the 11-5 victory. Junior Claire Grooms gave Rutgers their largest lead at 10-4 when she connected on a goal with 2:17 remaining.

In the game, Carolan recorded four goals for the Wildcats while Firth recorded her second of the year. Sophomore Brandy Greneir (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) made four saves in net for Villanova.

Villanova will return to action on Saturday, April 6 when they travel to Easton, Pa. to battle Lafayette in a Patriot League contest. Game time is set to begin at 12:00 p.m.