Oct. 22, 2003

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, PA. - Four different players scored for the Wildcats on Wednesday, Oct. 22nd, at the Villanova Soccer Complex, as the Villanova women's soccer team used three second half goals to overpower the University of Pennsylvania by the score of 4-0. In the win, senior goalkeeper Chrissy Dolan notched her 10th shutout of the 2003 campaign to set a new school record for shutouts in a season, breaking the old mark of nine held by both Lynn McCale (1987) and herself (2002). The `Cats improved to 11-5-1 overall on the season with the victory, while the Quakers fell to 6-4-3.

Despite several good scoring opportunities by both squads throughout the early parts of the first half, neither team was able to find the back of the net as the game appeared to be heading into the half scoreless.

An offensive rush by Villanova in the 44th minute, however, changed the outcome completely and gave the Wildcats the momentum heading into intermission. Villanova forward Laura Johnson tapped a header to the middle of the box in the direction of fellow forward Lindsey Finnegan. Finnegan sent a touch pass to senior midfielder Candice MacDonald at the right of the net, and MacDonald snuck the ball past Penn keeper Anna Halse from 10 yards out to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead at the half.

It didn't take long for Villanova to add to its lead in the second half. At the 48:32 mark, Elizabeth Dauble sent a cross into the middle of the box which senior forward Janessa Jeltema headed into the right corner of the net for her first goal of the season to give the `Cats a 2-0 advantage.

Jeltema continued her second half offensive dominance when she snuck through several Quaker defenders and found sophomore Lindsey Finnegan with a beautiful feed towards the left of the box at the 69:57 mark. Finnegan played the ball off her head to her feet and sent a low liner into the left of the net to increase the Wildcat advantage to 3-0.

Villanova put an exclamation point on its victory with just over 10 minutes remaining. Jeltema sent a pass from the left post to the center of the box to Erica Stewart, who beat Halse to give the `Cats a 4-0 lead.

The Wildcat defense led by junior All-American Michelle Biehl put the finishing touches on the 4-0 shutout to give Villanova its 10th shutout in 17 games this season. The Wildcats are currently 15th in the nation in team goals against average and 21st in shutout percentage.

Dolan saved four shots to earn the shutout in net for Villanova. She currently has 10 shutouts in 17 starts this season, and has held opponents to 0.58 goals per game.

Taking the loss in goal for Pennsylvania was Halse, who saved two shots on the afternoon.

On offense for the Wildcats, Jeltema led the way with one goal and two assists. Finnegan added a goal and an assist and currently lead the Villanova team in goals (7) and points (19).

The Wildcats will return to action on Sunday, Oct. 26th, when they play host to the University of Pittsburgh Panthers at 11:00 a.m., at the Villanova Soccer Complex. Sunday's game will be senior day for the `Cats, as the University celebrates Homecoming weekend.