Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova's Kayla Kenney scored with less than two minutes remaining to break a 2-2 tie and propel the host Wildcats past La Salle, 3-2, on Wednesday evening at Villanova Stadium. The Explorers had tied the game at two with just over five minutes left on junior Mariel Papa's goal.

Sophomore Lisa Shaffer made 11 saves as Nova peppered the cage with 24 shots. The Explorers managed only four and VU goalkeeper Alex Diekmann did not have to make a save in the victory.

Neither team scored in the first half, but La Salle got on the board first in the 39th minute when senior Becca Chylack scored on a corner to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Senior Neelam Kumar and Maddy Tettelbach earned assists on the play.

The goal was Chylack's 22nd of her career, moving her into a tie for ninth place on La Salle's all-time list. She is also eighth all-time in points (57).

Four minutes later, Villanova tied the score on Leah High's goal and the hosts took the lead with 15 minutes to play on Kenny first goal of the evening.

With time winding down, Papa dribbled into the circle and blasted a shot past Diekmann to tie the score at 2-2. But Villanova had the late-game heroics in this contest with Kenney's late goal to win its home opener and improve to 3-1 on the season. La Salle falls to 2-3.

The Explorers are back on the turf on Sunday when they visit Columbia.