PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle University Women's Soccer team opened up its season Friday hosting Villanova for the first game on McCarthy Stadium's new Sprinturf and the first game at McCarthy at night. The result was not what the Explorers wanted, however, as the Wildcats walked out with a 1-0 victory.

 

La Salle (0-1) came out aggressive and recorded the first three shots in the game, and actually out-shot the Wildcats in the match, 12-9. Sophomore Traci DePasquale recorded two of those, but as she did all night, Villanova goalkeeper Jillian Loyden was there to make the stops.

 

It was not until the 21^st minute of the game that Villanova registered its first shot, and then continued its pressure. Back-to-back corner kicks by the Wildcats in the 22^nd minute were stopped by the Explorers, but they broke the scoreless tie just seven minutes later.

 

Villanova (1-0) would score off a free kick after a La Salle foul. Kayce Blandford lined up for the kick from about 45 yards out and sailed the ball to the left side of the box. Nikki Mabery headed the ball across the box, where Lindsey Finnegan finished the play with a header into the lower right of the goal to put the Wildcats up 1-0 at the 28:34 mark.

 

The Explorers had a golden opportunity to tie the game about 10 minutes later off a corner kick. Heather Barclay took the kick, which found the head of Lauren Barker, who put it on net. But Loyden made the save, her sixth of the first half.

 

La Salle continued to push for the equalizer in the second half, which resulted in four corner kicks. The Explorers also held a 6-5 advantage in corner kicks, but Villanova, as they have in 14 of the 15 meetings with La Salle, came away with the victory.

 

Amy Grant, who was in goal when the two teams opened the season last year, a 1-0 Villanova win, played the entire game making two saves.