May 1, 2006

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Senior driver Kim Pare (East Grand Rapids, Mich.) scored four goals, including the game-winner in overtime, and Villanova (7-15) came out victorious in its third straight one-goal decision against Iona this season. Pare's game-winning shot with 38 seconds left in the second overtime period gave the Wildcats a 9-8 victory.

Villanova led 8-7 entering the fourth quarter but the Gaels tied the game with five minutes left in regulation with the lone goal of the fourth quarter. After Pare's game-winning goal in the second extra period, Iona came up short on one final attempt to send the game into a third overtime quarter.

Junior Brynn Rooney (Downers Grove, Ill.) and sophomore Christina Dopp (Stockton, Calif.) had two goals apiece for the Wildcats, who defeated the Gaels for the second time in three meetings this season. All three games were decided by one goal. Senior goalie Jess Wells (Newport Beach, Calif.) had 10 saves and Villanova outshot Iona 26-24. The Wildcats also had eight ejections to six for the Gaels.

Villanova finishes the season with a 7-15 overall record and a third-place finish at the conference tournament. The Wildcats were 5-5 in conference play during the regular season and advanced to the MAAC Championship for the third straight season. Villanova was defeated 5-2 by reigning champion Wagner in the semifinals on Saturday.

NOTES: Pare was named the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year at the conference awards banquet on Saturday evening ... She was also selected to the all-conference first team, while sophomore driver Carla Martinez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) was named to the second team ... The Wildcats defeated Iona 8-7 in their first meeting against the Gaels this season, but fell to Iona 7-6 in the second meeting.