PHILADELPHIA – La Salle women's lacrosse lost to the Villanova Wildcats 14-4 at home Wednesday afternoon, a game where the Nova defense ruled throughout.
 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The early stages of the game remained close. The Wildcats struck first, 2:10 into the game, thanks to a goal from Sami Carey.
• La Salle would not the Nova lead last long, however. A free position opportunity sent Gina D'Angelo to the eight-meter line, and the junior was successful on her attempt to tie the game.
• From that point, the Wildcats would go on a big run of goals. Carey added another of her own in a 5-0 run for Villanova to end the first half with her team leading 6-1.
• Mackenzie Click ended that 5-0 run with a goal of her own. Click is now up to five goals on the year, second to Katie Johnson in that category. Alana Lathan assisted on the play, and the score now sat at 6-2 Nova.
• Another run for the Wildcats followed the Explorer goal. Carey and Sydney Pappas each added another goal for Villanova, and by the time the half expired the score sat at 11-2 in favor of Nova.
• The third quarter faired better for the Explorers on the defensive end of the field. Maddie Henderson came right out of the break with a caused turnover, trying to set the second half tone.
• Jillian Vaught would add on for Nova at the 9:50 mark, but that would be followed up by an Explorer goal.
• Claudia Steinmetz, seeing her first action of the season today, scored her first goal of the year with 4:47 left in the third quarter. The score was now 12-3.
• Less than a minute later, Nova scored a woman-up goal to bring their lead to ten goals at the end of the third.
• The final frame of play went similarly to the third. Defense on both sides held the other team to limited success on offense.
• Vaught netted the first goal of the fourth with 7:35 remaining to get Nova on top 14-3. Ellen Stickney scored her third goal of the season with 2:42 left in the game. D'Angelo assisted on the play.

 
 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Gina D'Angelo led the Explorers in points today with her goal and assist in the game.
• Grace Lord was able to secure three ground balls in the match today, the leader for La Salle in that category.
• The goal-leader on the season for La Salle, Katie Johnson, had opportunities today, but none found the back of the net. Johnson took four shots, the top on the team today.
• After having a solid performance with draw controls against FDU, that success was limited today as the Explorers took in only four total.
• Julianna Harden totaled two caused turnovers, the team had five total.

  
UP NEXT:

• The Explorers will travel to Manhattan College on Saturday, Feb. 24 for a 1:00 p.m. match up with the Jaspers.