Field Hockey | September 25, 2022

Box Score CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – La Salle field hockey's Zhao Rodrigo and Tatum Johnson combined to give the Explorers the lead with just under five minutes remaining, but a strong Wildcat effort through the remainder of regulation and into overtime prevailed, defeating La Salle 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• La Salle held the Wildcats scoreless through two penalty corners, but the third proved to be successful for Villanova when a deflection off the right post made its way into the cage to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the first quarter.
• Johnson got a great look at the goal in the 36^th minute. Johnson inserted the ball on the penalty corner up top to Pla who passed it off back to Johnson on the left post for the shot into the Villanova goalkeeper pads.
• Just two minutes later Rodrigo steps up to collect the ball from a Villanova defender bringing it into the circle firing off a quick shot for the equalizer.
• The teams remained knotted for the next 20 minutes when Wasyliw fires off an initial shot on the right of the circle. She collected her own rebound for the second shot heading to the left of the cage where Johnson was to bundle it in giving the Explorers a 2-1 lead.
• Villanova wasted no time in its response when just a minute later a shot from right outside the circle caught the deflection to go just high of Ryan Curley's reach to tie it 2-2 and send the game into overtime.
• La Salle got off to a great start in overtime earning a penalty corner just one minute into play. Pla took the wide-open shot, but found the stick of the Wildcats defense on the right post. Johnson followed it up a minute later working her way into the circle for a shot saved by the Villanova goalie.
• The momentum shifted the way of the Wildcats who brought the ball back down to the Explorers defense in the 63^rd minute for the golden goal to defeat La Salle 3-2.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Shot on goal were even on both sides, 9-9, but the Wildcats held the edge in shots, 27-20.
• Villanova had the advantage in corners 15-8.
• Curley played the entire 63 minutes in the cage. She totaled six saves.
• Pla led the Explorers in shots with seven.
• Johnson led in shots on goal with four.

UP NEXT:

• La Salle returns home to DeVincent Field on Friday, Sep. 30 to take on Massachusetts at 3 p.m.