Oct. 19, 2001

VILLANOVA, PA. - It was a successful day all-around for the Villanova University women's soccer team on Friday. In an afternoon showdown at the Villanova Soccer Complex, the Wildcats shutout Boston College, 3-0, behind two goals from sophomore Candice MacDonald and eight saves by senior goalkeeper Janel Schillig. Just over an hour north of the Main Line, Seton Hall played Georgetown to a 1-1 tie, helping Villanova earn a berth in the 2001 Big East Championships.

With the Wildcats' victory over the Eagles of BC on Friday, Villanova improved to 10-3-3 overall to post double-digit victories for the third consecutive season under head coach Ann Clifton. Boston College fell to 7-7-1 overall with the loss.

Both teams had a number of opportunities to score early on in the game, as the teams combined for 17 first half shots. The Wildcats appeared to score 6:15 into the game when freshman Laura Johnson found the back of the net. The goal was negated, however, due to an off-sides call on the `Cats.

It wasn't until the 43:23 mark that the contest finally saw a goal put up on the scoreboard. That goal came from Villanova, as junior Julie Battista fed a beautiful touch pass to MacDonald at the left side of the net. MacDonald beat Eagles goalkeeper Elyse Meredith to the right to give the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage.

In the 51st minute of the game with Boston College still trailing 1-0, Villanova added to its lead. Senior Jessica Painchaud hit freshman Regina Villari, who crossed to ball to the right of the Eagles' goal. MacDonald dove and headed the ball into the net for her second goal of the game to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.

Villanova put the game out of reach at the 71:39 mark, as junior Kristin Dunst found Johnson with a cross. Johnson, who had a goal taken away in the first half, let no one take this one away as she headed the ball out of the reach of Meredith and into the BC net to give the `Cats a 3-0 lead.

With a stingy Villanova defense keeping the Eagle offense off-track all afternoon, three goals was more than the Wildcats would need as they went on for the 3-0 victory.

The shutout was the 10th of the season for Schillig and a dominant Villanova defense. The Wildcats and their defense, led on this day by redshirt freshman Michelle Biehl, junior Jill DiBerardino, senior Dyane Noonan, and junior Jennifer Carrigan, came into the game ranked sixth in the nation in shutouts. Villanova has shutout its opponents in 10 of its 16 games thus far in 2001.

Schillig finished the game with eight saves in net for the Wildcats. Taking the loss for BC despite saving a game-high nine shots was Meredith.

Villanova will wind down its home season on Sunday, Oct. 21, hosting the Providence College Friars at 1:00 p.m. at the Villanova Soccer Complex.