Posted by: Marc MullenVILLANOVA, PA - The La Salle University Women's Soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision Friday afternoon at Villanova Soccer Stadium with the lone goal coming off a header by Wildcat's Kelly Breslin in the 73rd minute of the contest.
Villanova (1-0) broke the scoreless tie at 72:29, when Nikki Mabery took a free kick from just inside the corner. She served the ball inside the box, where Breslin was able to head it past La Salle's freshman goalkeeper Amy Grant (Denver, PA/Cocalico).
It was the only goal allowed by Grant, who faced a total of 23 shots, 10 on goal. The Explorers were outshot 23-13, and the Wildcats held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.
La Salle senior Alexis Petrucci (Abington, PA/Bishop McDevitt) opened the game with a shot from 35 yards out which sailed high of the net, 10 seconds into the contest. The Explorers would manage just three more shots the rest of the half, as Villanova held a 12-4 advantage at the break.
The Explorers picked up the shot pace in the second half, and had several opportunities to break the scoreless tie, before the Wildcat goal, and tie the game after the 73rd minute.
The best scoring chance after trailing 1-0 took place in the 86th minute as La Salle had the Wildcats on their heels. Petrucci had a shot on goal that Villanova goalkeeper Jillian Loyden saved, and seconds later a shot by freshman Traci DePasquale (Forked River, NJ/Lacey Township) went wide. After the restart, La Salle again pressured and had an advantage, but was whistled offsides.
La Salle (0-1) will now travel to Annapolis, MD to face Navy, Sunday at 1 PM, before taking on the Dragons at Drexel, Wednesday with a time change to a 4 PM start.
And again, an important note for anyone looking to follow the women's soccer team to the Naval Academy on Sunday, there is security in place that prohibits cars without a DOD sticker from parking at the Academy. So it is suggested that fans park at the football stadium off of Route 50 and take the free shuttle to the game. The shuttle will drop fans off right at Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.
Live audio of the game can be heard on WEXP at the link listed above. WEXP is the student radio station of La Salle University and is not affiliated with La Salle Athletics.
