The Tribe (0-8) broke through in the 19th minute on Griffin’s second career goal. W&M played the ball in from the right wing outside the circle. Graduate student Mollie Schuma got a stick to it, knocking it down for Griffin on the left side of the scoring area. The Tribe junior scored into the leftside board to put the home team in front 1-0. It was Schuma’s fourth career assist.
Defensively, the Green and Gold defense held Villanova (5-3) off the scoreboard in the opening 15 minutes despite pressure from the Wildcats that included 10 shots and eight on goal. Graduate student goalkeeper Maddie George was up to the task with seven first-quarter saves, while graduate student defender Maddie McGaughey notched a defensive save.
The Wildcats broke through for the equalizer in the final four minutes of the first half. George made the initial stop on a Villanova shot, but the rebound spilled over to Sabine de Ruijter, who scored in front to draw the match even.
W&M had four shots in the first golden goal overtime period. Two came off W&M’s second penalty corner of the contest in the 68th minute. The initial shot off the corner by senior Kellen Richbourg was blocked by the Wildcat defense. The rebound found the stick of sophomore Josie Mae Gruendel, but her chance from the leftside of the area was kicked away by Villanova goalkeeper Maddi Sears.
The visitors found the game-winner less than two minutes into the second extra period. On a break opportunity, Meghan Mitchell carried into the circle and then found de Ruijter posting up against George. The Wildcat striker touched to the right and finished into the boards for her second goal of the contest and the game-winner.
George finished with 11 saves on the afternoon in cage. It was her second-straight double-digit save performance and fifth overall on the season.
Scoring Summary
19′ | W&M – Erin Griffin (Mollie Schuma)
27′ | Villanova – Sabine de Ruijter (unassisted)
Starters
W&M – #1 George (GK), #2 Schuma, #5 Gruendel, #7 Richbourg, #8 Friedman, #9 McGaughey, #10 Lawn, #16 Socks, #18 Bartzen, #26 Schwartz, #28 Griffin
Villanova – #35 Sears (GK), #1 Borkowski, #4 Schwarz, #7 Boston, #10 Drabbe, #11 Mitchell, #14 de Ruijter, #17 Zimmerman, #22 Lysahgt, #25 Smolij, #26 Lavelle
Up Next
The Tribe opens CAA play on Friday, Sept. 27, when it hosts Towson at Busch Field. The match is slated for a 5 p.m. start time and will be broadcast on FloLive.
